Why don't most Catholics evangelize?

[Genesis315]

This was generally the job of clergy and missionary orders for a long time, with lay people just expected to be good examples so there wasn’t much tradition of more explicit lay evangelizing for a while. The Second Vatican Council really re-emphasized the laity’s role in evangelism–and it is more important than ever with the decline in clergy and religions–and yet it is still ignored…weak faith (especially religious indifferentism and vague universalism) and cold charity (“politeness” over love–ie it’s not polite to talk religion or challenge someone’s religious beliefs) are part of the problem, in my opinion…

 

[po18guy]

America, in parituclar, is a Protestant, anti-Catholic nation. There have been martyrs made here, parishes burned. The majority of the thousands of oddball and heretical denominations were invented in the theological free-for-alll of 18th through 20th century USA. The anti-Catholicism runs from mild to wild. It is easily understood that in such an environment, Catholics are ‘gun shy’ from the relentless attacks. If we put forth theology that is any more profound or nuanced than “ME and Jesus”, it is assailed by increasingly emotional and occasionally wild-eyed true believers.

Coincidentally, from today’s “Minute Meditations from the Popes”

John 15:20 “No servants are greater than their Master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”

“You must understand that faithful service to Christ and His Church will not always earn you the world’s praise. On the contrary, you will sometimes receive the same treament as the Lord: rejection, contempt and even persecution.”

• Pope Saint John Paul II

Prayer: Oh Lord, when I suffer the price of being Christian, especially at work, at school or even in my family, remind me that You will never abandon those who suffer in Your Name."

 

[MonteRCMS]

Keep in mind that non-Catholics think it is weird the way Catholics celebrate their martyrs.

 

[DebCWil]

It may not have always been called evangelization, but how many of us were taught to be ready to “defend our faith.” Some of us are old enough to remember being slapped on the cheek (even if it was light) at Confirmation as we became soldiers for Christ.
Growing up there were few Catholics. Separated brothers and sisters went to Sunday School and I went to Catechism on Wednesday afternoons. Living overseas on an Air Force Base, that meant that every Wednesday afternoon, I had to explain why I was waiting for the base to take me from the housing post to the main base where catechism classes were held.
Even earlier than that, attending a civilian school I had to explain my military ID tag. Attached to the chain of my military ID was my Immaculate Heart medal. Of course my mother never let any of us leave the house without our rosary.
The rosary was recited daily within our household. If the phone rang, “Excuse me, I can’t talk now, we’re praying the rosary. Please call back later.”
I learned to answer questions like “Why do Catholics have statues in their house?” I was answering in terms of city heroes and the statues in town squares. Then one day my mother told me how she turned the question back on the questioner. “Do you have photographs of your children?”
I’ve even read of an Amish person using the same response when questioned about Catholics and the religious pictures they keep in their homes. The Amish parents were visiting Catholic friends and responding to their child’s question.

If our Catholic Faith is part of our identity, the evangelization comes simply because are “impelled by Christ.” Often we are unaware that it is happening as we say “Have a Blessed Day,” or engage in everyday conversation.

 

[commenter]

America, in parituclar, is a Protestant, anti-Catholic nation… The anti-Catholicism runs from mild to wild.

America was a Protestant nation. Some Protestants were anti-Catholic, many were simply ignorant of Catholicism, some were friendly.

America today is a secularist nation. There still are some groups who are committed to Protestantism, and anti-Catholic. But with few exceptions these are the tiny congregations out in the hills. The large Protestant congregations and denominations are much less likely to be anti-Catholic.

However, anti Catholicism from the secularists has long been dominant in higher education, and now is dominant in the media.

 

[Edward_H]

Mostly, at least “at root” the reason is that they don’t realize they MUST evangelize.

It’s not optional…it’s not father’s job to do.