Catholicism and Evangelism

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Hi,

I am currently an RCIA candidate and had some observations I wanted to discuss regarding Catholicism and Evangelism.

A couple months ago my dad, who is Calvinist and who raised me Calvinist, brought up the topic of evangelism and told me he didn’t think that Catholics evangelized much. It kind of struck a chord, because frankly, it really seems like among Catholics I know evangelism is almost a taboo. Now of course I agree with Vatican II, that those who through no fault of their own don’t fully know or understand the gospel can still be saved. But it almost seems like many Catholics I know use this as an excuse not to tell others about Jesus. From my perspective, this teaching gives me comfort of knowing that those people whose circumstances are beyond which they can be fully reached with the gospel are not without hope. That doesn’t diminish the fact that people are in fact saved through the gospel and through Jesus alone and it would be uncharitable to keep it from them. That includes people of other faiths. I am unwilling to assume that because someone has a faith, any faith at all, that it automatically makes them right with God.

I do understand that there is the issue with regards to cultural sensitivity, especially when it comes to our other non-Christian Abrahamic friends. I think that it is possible to be culturally over-sensitive. I teach conversational English classes through a Christian campus organization, and lately we have been a lot more open about sharing our faith with the people who come there. Most of the people there are from China, Turkey, and Iran, so you can get an idea of the religious makeup of these people. Believe me, it is entirely possible to share your faith with a Muslim without offending him/her. In fact, many of the people there are very happy to listen and learn more about what Christians believe; as many have pointed out, due to cultural barriers, they don’t always get a clear picture of this. Many of the people in our class stay afterwards for the Bible study. We also give them a chance to tell us about their beliefs. But ultimately it is more than just a religious “discussion” or inter-faith dialogue; we do let them know that we hope they too will believe in the gospel and find the joy of knowing Jesus. They are not offended by this and most of them appreciate our sincerity and respect us all the more. Some, in fact, do come to believe; especially the people from China with no spiritual background whatsoever.

I am pretty sure that the Pope has continuously encouraged us to tell others about Jesus. (Am I correct on this?) At any rate, the opportunity to evangelize is a huge blessing. There is a tremendous joy that comes from sharing the gospel with other people.
 
Greetings!

Evangelism would have to be defined a bit clearer. I’m not sure what it is you don’t think the Catholic Church does? What exactly would you like to see done?

God Bless, gary
 
Hi,

By evangelism I mean actually verbally transmitting the gospel to people who don’t believe in it or haven’t heard it, including people of other faiths. How would you define evangelism? The Catholic Church itself does this and has done it since its beginnings. What I was saying is that I’ve observed (at least where I come from), that among laity, even among faithful Catholics, that evangelism has almost become a kind of taboo, and that a sort of mentality arises from a cultural over-sensitivity, of not wanting to “shove religion down peoples’ throats,” when in reality, many non-Christians (especially those of other faiths) are, from what I’ve seen, very open to hearing the gospel and aren’t really offended by it at all (assuming it’s presented in a tactful way).
 
Catholics are at the far ends of the Earth doing missionary work. When you think of the sick, homeless, the needy and those on deaths bed. Catholics are right there. Ecumenism is another form of spreading the Truth. Theres not a country in the world where the Catholic Church doesn’t exist.

The message of the Lord is passed through America and the modern constantly by various mean in Catholic Devotions also. The Dominicans, the Camelites, the Blue Army, the Jesuits, Rosary groups, and on and on, are all here also speading the Truth.

The only thing we are not doing is knocking door to door with Spiritual Pride forcing a belief on someone who isn’t trying to hear the truth just yet. And the fact is all the denominations that do this? Well all those who truly seek the Truth, will end up in the Catholic Church. So its works to our advantage anyway I believe. There is only “One Truth” and there’s only one which in the end will stand.

God Bless, Gary
 
Once again, I am talking about task of evangelization assigned to the laity. TACTFUL evangelization by the laity. I am not denying the work of our clergy and religious people. Read my post and you will see this. Whenever I bring up evangelism people automatically get this picture of forcing beliefs on other people, etc. Please read my original post fully and listen to what I have to say.
 
I think there is a problem with a lack of a lay evangelization. Of course, I think you and I would have different ideas on who should be targeted first. I believe Catholics should be the first targets of a lay Catholic evangelization (a vast majority of Catholics don’t even go to Mass on Sunday!). We need to get Catholics back in the pews - or sometimes into the pews for the first time - before we focus on getting others into the pews. The fallen away Catholics are directly within our responsibility, for, if they received the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), then their lack of attendance constitutes sin. Once we get Catholics to actually care about our Lord and His Church, then we can evangelize non-Christians, Protestants, etc.

I do not know how to go about the evangelization, and I think this is a common problem. Protestants are frequently taught how to evangelize (at least in the denominations I grew up in and attended), but Catholics are hardly even taught their faith. That is why I say, start with the home-front before going to the frontlines.
 
CompSciGuy said:
Once again, I am talking about task of evangelization assigned to the laity. TACTFUL evangelization by the laity. I am not denying the work of our clergy and religious people. Read my post and you will see this. Whenever I bring up evangelism people automatically get this picture of forcing beliefs on other people, etc. Please read my original post fully and listen to what I have to say.
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I did read carefully what your are saying. What exactly do you think they should be doing

“TACTFUL evangelization by the laity.” And I do think this does happen. What do you think doesn’t happen? You not “clearly” saying anything. And I did read your posts and find them, vague.

God Bless, Gary
 
Yes, evangelism is very important. I don’t think being Catholic means we do away with evangelism by words and deeds.

Loving people and helping them are part of it. But this can also point people towards me in that they like me and think I’m a great person, not necessarily helping them to know about God, Christ, original sin, the eucharist, etc. These things have to be taught .

Jesus did say He didn’t come to bring peace but a sword. There can be conflict in sharing the gospel because people won’t want to receive it, just like in the Bible. Before I was a Christian , I would get angry at anyone telling me I was a “sinner” or needed Christ, but I’m thankful for those who persisted despite my initial responses and didn’t just give up because I wasn’t being “receptive”.

I think being Catholic we can share about the need for a personal relationship with Christ and His Church as well. Evangelism isn’t everyone’s gifting but that doesnt’ mean that those who have a burden for it shouldn’t do it.
 
CompSciGuy,
You raise a very good question and one that bears looking at. Gary has also given you a very good answer.

The Catholic Church is universal, quite visible and performs huge numbers of good works. By this the world is evanglized because others are drawn to and effected by the holiness of the good people who work in the various ministries…

But I do understand what you mean about individual, grass roots, one-on-one evangelism. The kind that is ready to answer questions when they come up, and correct errors when they are found. The kind that gets into discussions at the lunch table at work - things like that. Not pushing, or “street evangelization” so much as just simple teaching…

So the issue really comes down to a two levels…As an institution, The Church evangelizes on a huge scale. Worldwide and in many differnt minstries.
But as individuals…we Catholics are often not effectively evangelizing - one on one…

I agree that this is something we need to work on. And this is one reason I am so very happy to see God calling so many “evangelical” converts into His church. The fire, the earnestness, the joy that such converts bring will help bring new life and imputous to the Church at the local level.
Also, for me - converts of all stripes have a great advantage over cradle catholics because when they speak to non-catholics, they were once there - where that non-catholic is now…They can “speak the language”, understand the arguments etc much better than one raised “in the church”. I have discovered numerous times that, in talking to non-catholics, we can be using the same words but meaning different things…

As a final note - I think that there are certain non-catholic groups, fundemental evangelical groups, who really emphasize evangelization as part of their faith. Often times they do this in ways that are - well frankly - pushy, abrasive and counterproductive. They may go out and “evangelize” but just how deep is their own understanding? How accurate is their own intformation? Can many of them really talk intelligently about their faith or do they simply have “pat answers” given to them by their team leaders?

Evangelization is VERY important and needs to permeate our very life so that others will say - Look at how they Love one another - and they will want what we have in Christ…

Peace
James
 
ZDHayden said:
I think there is a problem with a lack of a lay evangelization. Of course, I think you and I would have different ideas on who should be targeted first. I believe Catholics should be the first targets of a lay Catholic evangelization (a vast majority of Catholics don’t even go to Mass on Sunday!). We need to get Catholics back in the pews - or sometimes into the pews for the first time - before we focus on getting others into the pews. The fallen away Catholics are directly within our responsibility, for, if they received the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), then their lack of attendance constitutes sin. Once we get Catholics to actually care about our Lord and His Church, then we can evangelize non-Christians, Protestants, etc.

I do not know how to go about the evangelization, and I think this is a common problem. Protestants are frequently taught how to evangelize (at least in the denominations I grew up in and attended), but Catholics are hardly even taught their faith. That is why I say, start with the home-front before going to the frontlines.
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I would like the see the Priests speak on Fire like the Apostles. I’ll even settle for Slightly hotter. But you work with what you have. Could it be better? Its could always be better. Personally I think the focus should be on civil society in the west. Re-define thats which has already been civilized and established. And there are many who also think this way. Nonetheless, the CC has contined to grow with 1.7 billion members. I think its pretty hard to find fault with a sacred vessel thats served mankind for 2000-years.

There’s always the open question as to what your doing to make it better? Its easy to look at another with a critical view. But we should look at ourselves first. And if their is truth in what we do and say? Than it will survive and also catch on. Others will see it also.

Lot of ways to look at it.

God Bless, Gary
 
CompSciGuy said:
Hi,

By evangelism I mean actually verbally transmitting the gospel to people who don’t believe in it or haven’t heard it, including people of other faiths. How would you define evangelism? The Catholic Church itself does this and has done it since its beginnings. What I was saying is that I’ve observed (at least where I come from), that among laity, even among faithful Catholics, that evangelism has almost become a kind of taboo, and that a sort of mentality arises from a cultural over-sensitivity, of not wanting to “shove religion down peoples’ throats,” when in reality, many non-Christians (especially those of other faiths) are, from what I’ve seen, very open to hearing the gospel and aren’t really offended by it at all (assuming it’s presented in a tactful way).
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So much of American protestant evangelism is just effective marketing strategies.

I think you are talking about what protestants refer to as “discipleship.”
Catholics evangelize babies. We baptize babies, and bring them into the Church.
To me that’s the equivalent of the protestant’s “getting saved,”

Bible studies, and discipleship to protestants are what Religious Education, RCIA, and Catholic schooling is to Catholics.

I believe we are doing the same thing, only different.
 
I have a “gift” of evangelisation; a gift that was given to me at my Catholic confirmation, when I became a “soldier for Christ,” yet remained dormant, until I found on fire evangelizing protestants.
I will not be satisfied unless I am verbally sharing my faith and evangelizing.

HOWEVER, had anyone pointed me toward evangelizing Catholics, I would have been right at home. You see, I was raised in a progressive Catholic Church, and while I did receive all my sacraments there, I was the odd one out, because I wanted to talk.about.Jesus.all.the.time.😛

I will be totally honest. Among my protestant long time friends, whom I worshipped with and even did public street evangelism with, they think I am “shoving my religion down their throat,” and I am very choosy in what I talk about with them. I am not overtly Catholic to them, yet, they don’t want to hear it.
 
I could add also, that the catholic stance on celibacy with the fathers, and the refuting of condoms at all,is in its self very important to other faiths and the atheist types as a corollary to evangelical attitudes of the catholic doctrine.
 
graceandglory said:
So much of American protestant evangelism is just effective marketing strategies.

I think you are talking about what protestants refer to as “discipleship.”
Catholics evangelize babies. We baptize babies, and bring them into the Church.
To me that’s the equivalent of the protestant’s “getting saved,”

Bible studies, and discipleship to protestants are what Religious Education, RCIA, and Catholic schooling is to Catholics.

I believe we are doing the same thing, only different.
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Another great point, and yes I do think so also.

I’ve seen some very good orators and public speakers in the church. I often think they restain themselves intentionally. But the same thought I have, has existed for hundreds of years. I’'ve read 14-15 century Catholics saying the exact same thing. So this isn’t a new topic or something we are now doing wrong.

Just a different way of going about the same process. Look at the debates with the Jesuits and JP-II of 10-15 years ago. The same thinking comes into play.

God Bless, Gary
 
graceandglory said:
I have a “gift” of evangelisation; a gift that was given to me at my Catholic confirmation, when I became a “soldier for Christ,” yet remained dormant, until I found on fire evangelizing protestants.
I will not be satisfied unless I am verbally sharing my faith and evangelizing.

HOWEVER, had anyone pointed me toward evangelizing Catholics, I would have been right at home. You see, I was raised in a progressive Catholic Church, and while I did receive all my sacraments there, I was the odd one out, because I wanted to talk.about.Jesus.all.the.time.😛

I will be totally honest. Among my protestant long time friends, whom I worshipped with and even did public street evangelism with, they think I am “shoving my religion down their throat,” and I am very choosy in what I talk about with them. I am not overtly Catholic to them, yet, they don’t want to hear it.
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You seem to be very much a blessed soldier of Christ,i`v had a similar experience with friends ect.

My only solace around such individuals was to keep quiet and allow the lord to penetrate at a much deeper level…
 
I think Catholics are growing in their effort to evangelize. I personally like the advice of St. Francis(I think) Preach always, and when necessary use words. I believe that actions speak louder than words. We must truly and visibly live our faith. Then we will have an opportunity to share it as people approach us because of what they see.

There are also groups within the Catholic laity who concentrate on evangelizing. Cursillo has a motto, “Make a friend. Be a friend. Bring a friend to Christ.” That sounds to me like a good way to evangelize.

I am personally turned off by those who knock on my door to tell me about religion, as well as those who accost me on the street.

God bless you. I hope this helps.
 
mark_avery said:
You seem to be very much a blessed soldier of Christ,i`v had a similar experience with friends ect.

My only solace around such individuals was to keep quiet and allow the lord to penetrate at a much deeper level…
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Exactly and this is what I’m saying above about “spiritual pride” that is what people re-act to and become turned off by. Its not the message of the Lord. Its you and how you present it which easily can become counterproductive. Because there’s an existing spiritual battle in each and every one of us.

I can easily see this look on peoples face’s today as I speak. You know when the mind becomes closed and its a wrap at that point. Might as well be talking to the wall.

God Bless, Gary
 
rebecca123 said:
Loving people and helping them are part of it. But this can also point people towards me in that they like me and think I’m a great person, not necessarily helping them to know about God, Christ, original sin, the eucharist, etc. These things have to be taught .
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I agree completely and this is exactly the point I am trying to make. Acts of charity and evangelization should go hand in hand. If we just evangelize without charity, there is no reason for anyone to think that there is anything special about us because of the way we live, etc. Acts of charity without evangelization will likely just make them think we are nice people.

My point is that among many Catholics that I meet, the only idea of “evangelism” among laypeople is to do works of charity, and nothing else. When I bring up evangelization, a lot of the times the reaction is negative. “Yes, by all means do acts of love and kindness, etc. but for goodness sake, don’t tell them the greatest news they could ever hear.” Also, it should be known that evangelization can be done tactfully. If, when you hear the word “evangelization” all you can think of is that pastor hosting his “burn a Quran day,” then you are thinking of it in the wrong way.

As for evangelizing fallen away Catholics, of course they are of huge importance to our ministry but I wouldn’t necessarily agree that we should only evangelize them and not others. Evangelize them both.

And professing your faith to another person is not the same as spiritual pride. Gary, I agree that many evangelicals do push their faith too much, in a way that is abrasive, I am not saying that this kind of evangelization is acceptable. But telling someone (in a spirit of charity) about your faith is not the same as spiritual pride.
 
I listen to “The Journey Home” with Marcus Grodi on EWTN. It’s very interesting to listen to all the converts’ journeys into the Church.

Marcus’ ministry is geared toward clergy converts but he also has lay converts and reverts on his program.

Not all, but many clergy converts have long arguments with the Holy Spirit concerning their journey into the Catholic Church.

The Journey Home programs are available on EWTN youTube:

youtube.com/watch?v=VBa2A3VGqCk
 
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