"It is the Church on the streets where the Spirit wants us to be and where we feel his unique presence in almost every encounter" says Keenan.

Keenan, a proponent of the new evangelisation - which calls all Catholics to be evangelised and then go forth to evangelise - was able to answer this call by sharing "the joy of the Gospel" at Inverclyde's train station.

The Rail Pastors

The Rail Pastors and their bright blue uniforms have been active at Scottish stations in Fife, Inverclyde and Paisley for several years.

Their mission is "to listen, care and help travellers who otherwise might feel a little unsafe or needing a helpful person to chat to".

If need be, they send people to relevant agencies for further support. They are awake particularly to the real possibility that some people may be suicidal, Keenan says.

Based on a similar scheme in Barnet (near London), which led to a marked reduction in suicides and suicide attempts, the Scottish group teamed up with Ascension Trust, BTP, Police Scotland and Scottish Business Resilience Centre.

They provided training for Rail Pastors to patrol and provide additional public reassurance in unstaffed stations or locations synonymous with reported suicide incidents.

In Scotland, one in six young adults aged 18-34 have self-harmed and 76 percent of parents have reported that their child's mental health deteriorated while waiting for professional mental health support.

Reflecting on the Rail Pastors' mission

After spending a Friday evening last month with Rail Pastors and reflecting on their mission, Keenan said:

"Uniformed as Rail Pastors, they engaged passengers of all ages - from teenagers to seniors - creating a little bit of community and warmth on a dark and wet Scottish autumn night."

He sees the Rail Pastors as offering "a safe and reassuring presence to the young people who appreciate this pastoral care even while they are making merry".

For himself, he said the evening gave him the opportunity to reach out to young people.

"A group ...recognised me from my visit to their Catholic primary school, while they were preparing for the sacrament of confirmation, and we had a nice conversation" the bishop recalled.

"Another asked me to pray for her mum. They were amazed to see me engaging with them in this role.

"In the station bar, a young man recognised me and ... he opened up about his faith and his parents' deep Catholic convictions. Our meeting made his day, and he got off the train renewed in faith and spirit."

Keenan also met retired police officers, transport police and rail safety officers.

"By midnight we had been six hours out and about as salt, leaven and light and, where the occasion allowed, sharing the joy of the Gospel" he said.

Source

• Catholic News Agency

Perhaps you know a bluegrass band or two, but have you ever heard of one composed of Dominican friars and priests?

What else could possibly be so odd, yet so perfect, as a group of guitar and banjo-wielding mendicants taking up the time-tested tradition of Southern music?

The Hillbilly Thomists first formed in the Dominican House of Studies, born of the simple desire to play music as a visible expression of God's invisible grace.

They view as a model of their project Flannery O'Connor, from whose writings they take their name and numerous references in their songs.

The Hillbilly Thomists made their public debut in 2017 with their eponymous first album, then followed up their success in 2021 with Living for the Other Side.

With a combination of their own songs and covers of old Southern classics, both albums displayed healthy respect for past tradition and an eagerness for fresh art and new songs.

On July 7, 2022, the Hillbilly Thomists made their next breakthrough with their album Holy Ghost Power.

Unlike their previous forays into the world of music, this new collection features a veritable treasury of homespun, expertly crafted, and distinctly Catholic bluegrass.

Holy Ghost Power takes the listener on a panoramic trip through Southern spirituality infused with Catholic sensibility.

From the drawling, Flannery O'Connor-brimming title track to the thoughtful and moving "Veronica," and then right back to energetic jams like "Way Down in New Orleans," the album is nothing short of a holistic, but perhaps whiplashing, the rollercoaster experience of Catholic bluegrass.

One could do manifold things with the spiritual and emotional depth and breadth of Holy Ghost Power, but in particular I'd like to focus on how that strength of variety and the sheer wonder of a band such as the Hillbilly Thomists exemplifies the elegance of Dominican spirituality.

St Dominic's spirituality holds a unique place among others as a combination of the active and contemplative life.

He emphasised in his life and works that one could be a zealous apostle and a high mystic simultaneously.

His solution to the classic dilemma of Martha and Mary: Why not be both? Contemplative prayer and study were the wellsprings of active preaching.

Holy Ghost Power's artistic range presents the same sort of difficulty that St Dominic sought to overcome in founding the Order of Preachers.

Sometimes playful and catchy like "The Power and the Glory," sometimes quiet and modest like "Love is Patient," it can be difficult to see the album's artistic unity.

Dominican spirituality, the attempt to reconcile and fuse the best of both worlds, is the key to comprehending how it all fits together in Holy Ghost Power.

The peaks and valleys aren't sloppy writing and organisation, but an intentional attempt to bring apparent opposites into one chorus. Disparate tones find their union through the focal point of the distinctly Dominican project to bring distinct elements into one whole.

The spiritual artistry of Holy Ghost Power is ultimately akin to the delightful fact of the band's very existence—who could have expected opposites to be joined in such a way? After all, Dominicans aren't professional musicians, but scholars and preachers; and if one expected any music from them, bluegrass would hardly be their guess.

Nevertheless, The Hillbilly Thomists have shown once again in Holy Ghost Power the strength of Dominican and Catholic spirituality to adapt to any culture and mood, and fashion them into a symphony of God's praise.

• Peter Watkins writes in The Torch that takes seriously the values to which Boston College is committed as a Catholic university. The Torch desires an active and healthy exchange of ideas. Moreover, its chief end is to be a tool for the new evangelization.
• Hillbilly Thomasts Spotify
• Hillbilly Thomasts Deezer
• Hillbilly Thomasts Tidal

She is frustrated by claims that there is only one way to be a Catholic and that that way possesses the sole grip on truth. Read more

He likes the term cringe to describe them because of the way it captures the intense awkwardness of some of our efforts as a church to seem hip and relevant.

"Laughing Jesus might as well have a LOL stamped on his forehead and be wearing a YOLO T-shirt, the image is so desperate for us to believe Jesus is fun and relatable. It is a strange paradox: the more human these images try to make Jesus, the less human he seems.' Read more

The competition ‘Saints Next Door' is open to young people of all faiths and denominations.

In 2018, Pope Francis shared a letter about saints. He explained that saints needn't be mystical people from the past who cured lepers and floated above the floor.

In fact, anyone can be what the pope labels as ‘saints next door.'

"Let us be spurred on by the signs of holiness that the Lord shows us through the humblest members of that people which "shares also in Christ's prophetic office, spreading abroad a living witness to him, especially by means of a life of faith and charity." (Pope Francis, Gaudete et Exsultate)

The competition has three categories, from year 7 to year 13, with one prize for each category.

Recent school leavers are welcome to enter. Their videos will be judged with those of senior students.

Winning entrants can choose new technology up to the value of $900.

Anyone wishing to enter the competition has to register their interest.

This is done by visiting the competition website and completing the online form.

Registration must be completed by Friday 23 August.

Finished films need to be completed and submitted online by Friday 30 August.

There is more information on the competition website including tips, inspiration and a resource kit for teachers.

Supplied: Amanda Gregan: Ko te Huinga Pihopa o te Hahi Katorika o Aotearoa - New Zealand Catholic Bishop's Conference

• videocompetition.co.nz

This year it sponsored Vatican Observatory Director and world-renown astronomer, Br Guy Consolmagno in a nationwide tour.

In addition, it has developed a new social media brand, Catholic Discovery and is working closely with Catholic agencies and schools in spreading the Good News.

Trinity Sunday (16 June) celebrates Christian belief in the Trinity and fittingly marks the National Day of Prayer for the Catholic Enquiry Centre (CEC), supported by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops (NZCBC).

CEC Director, Fr Neil Vaney, has prepared reflections and other resources for the day that will be shared among parishes throughout the country.

NZCBC President, Bishop Patrick Dunn says, "Each one of us is called to be a disciple, to spread the knowledge and love of Christ.

The CEC is our agency, to promote this work. Today, through prayer and by supporting the CEC we become part of that work.

Please open your hearts and lives to this work."

To find out more about the work of the CEC, related resources or to donate, visit catholicenquiry or Catholic Discovery on Facebook.

Supplied
Amanda Gregan: Ko te Huinga Pihopa o te Hahi Katorika o Aotearoa The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC)

They are on the look-out for good stories, so if you have any to let them know.

To get an idea of what they are looking for:

• Click here to view the Catholic Discovery on Facebook
• Click here to follow Catholic Discovery on Twitter.

If you have any stories, you can send them to info@catholicenquiry.nz

The new approach has been taken because the CEC wants to engage with people who are not Christians, those who may once have been Christians as well as those active in the Church.

The aim is to provide an opportunity for all people to discover more about the community and today's Catholic church.

CEC Director, Fr Neil Vaney, says Catholic Discovery involves a process of learning about the Catholic faith.

"Our approach with teaching is to utilise online platforms. We know our audiences use these channels," he said.

Vaney said the CEC wanted to share faith-based messages that people may not be able to access anywhere else.

"As part of this we have built Catholic Discovery and established branding that is more visual and vibrant.

"This fresh look better reflects our commitment to today's missionary challenges."

Vaney said the new logo offers a more contemporary presentation and will be used on all their digital platforms.

He said the icon is deliberately ambiguous. When you look at it, you may see a flame, a path or even a dove.

It is a metaphor that shows you can find many things within the Christian faith.

The colour purple has been used to represent Christ's suffering on the cross.

The CEC is currently reviewing its website and creating an Instagram account.

Read the press release

Source

• Supplied: Amanda Gregan Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

This is just one of the many findings contained in the Faith and Belief in New Zealand report released last month.

The 67-page report contains a massive number of statistics and many easy to understand infographics.

Here just are a few examples of the information contained in the report.

Of those who took part in the study:

• 26% are warm towards Christianity
• 31% are cold towards Christianity
• Their attitude towards Christianity is most likely to be shaped by their parents and family (57%)
• The main blocker that stops them from engaging with Christianity is the Church's stance and teaching on homosexuality (47%)
• Almost as many are influenced by the idea that a loving God would allow people to go to hell (45%)
• Church abuse has the greatest negative influence (76% massive/significant negative influence)
• 69% think Christians do not practice what they preach
• 25% know fewer than two Christians
• 9% of these don't know any Christians
• 22% know nothing at all about the Church in New Zealand
• 60% know a little or a moderate amount about the Church in New Zealand
• 56% don't know their local church well at all
• 51% take a neutral stance regarding the impact of the church in their local area
• They appreciate the work the Church does in helping those in need
• They most value the work of the Church and Christian organisations in providing disaster relief
• Two-thirds value the Church and Christian organisations' work in looking after people who are homeless, offering financial assistance/food relief programmes and providing aged care facilities.

The report was commissioned by the Wilberforce Foundation. It explores attitudes towards religion, spirituality and Christianity in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The research was undertaken during March and April 2018 by mccrindle, a research company based in Baulkham Hills, Australia.

The research employed qualitative and quantitative methods to explore Kiwi perceptions and attitudes towards Christianity, the Church and Jesus.

These methods included a nationally representative survey of Kiwis, a series of focus groups with non-Christians and analysis of Census data from Statistics New Zealand.

Read the report

Source

nzfaithandbeliefstudy.files.wordpress.com

"We wanted to be able to go to where people are, not just expect them to come into the four walls of our church," creative director Josh Campbell told Eternity News.

"We all love a good story, and we all love being entertained. Everybody goes to a cinema, and we thought we could try and give people a message where they go."

Gisborne hosted the New Zealand premiere of Broken on January 25.

It opened at number one across New Zealand's cinemas, and the reception from mainstream critics was surprisingly warm.

This month it has opened in Australian cinemas.

To call Broken an old story is an understatement.

The plot is based on the 1830s true story of a Ngati Hau chieftain and his daughter.

That tale was the basis of Joy Cowley's Tarore and Her Book.

Writer/Director Tarry Mortlock, who is also a youth pastor, has adapted and re-imagined the story for the present day.

"I wanted to make a film that the guy at the gym could go to, or the guy next door could go to," Mortlock says.

"When I read that story, I was just struck by the power of forgiveness and what can come out of it. I thought that would make a great movie.

"But making a period film is tricky; it can be very expensive.

"So our idea was to take the heart of that story and make a modern-day version of it," says Mortlock.

"You know, unchurched people could go and watch it but come away with a message, come away with some hope - but without it being preached at them or rammed down their throat."

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• eternitynews.com.au
• facebook
• Image: facebook

Father Olaf Lindenberg has experienced enormous success with his simple idea of setting out to meet people while he travels on local trains.

Nearly every Tuesday he boards the 6.55 a.m. train between Limburg and Frankfurt-am-Main.

"I sit in the front carriage - always the same one - and wait for people to come," he says. "People see my Roman collar, recognize me as a priest and if they wish they come to talk to me."

He repeats the exercise on the 5.01 p.m evening train in the opposite direction. During the hour long journey, Father Lindenberg offers a comforting presence and an opportunity to listen.

"The compartment is a public space," he says. "People don't talk about the rain or the weather but things that really concern them, both positive and negative."

"By the same token, we rarely discuss genuinely existential issues," he says. "The question of God is often raised indirectly in a somewhat covert manner."

"The most important thing is that the people find a person who will listen to them. It is a very clear need," he adds.

Along with his train project, Father Lindenberg has also launched a blog entitled "Praying differently."

He makes use of this to accompany people who have never prayed, who do not know how to do so or think that only "monks know how to pray."

Father Lindenberg posts a prayer daily on his blog, which he records himself so that it can be either read or listened to.

"Many people tell me they want to pray but don't have time," he says. "Yet we don't need a lot of time. It's simply a matter of creating a space for it."

Ordained 26 years ago, the blond 52-year-old priest with blue-framed glasses credits the influence on him of the writings of French author Madeleine Delbrêl, "who encouraged the church to be where the people are."

"Where a meeting takes place actually matters little as long as we are there to listen," says Father Lindenberg.

"Going to church may impress people as may knocking on the presbytery door to meet the local parish priest," he says. "In the train, however, I meet people who may or may not be believers. I often know nothing about them." Continue reading

• Image: Franffurter Allgemeine

Grand Rapids residents, Dan and Carrie Elzinga discovered Beer and Hymns two years ago when they were attending a religious festival in North Carolina.

"After the close of each day's agenda, the people would gather and drink beer and sing only hymns," said Carrie. "Hundreds of people would stand shoulder to shoulder and belt out these deeply meaningful old songs while drinking beer." Read more

The Catechism of the Catholic Church provided the answers to all of my questions concerning faith and morals.

It was the definitive voice of the church, and I believed everything that voice said. And then my black-and-white world began to fall apart.

Dysfunctional leadership at the local and diocesan levels left me questioning my place in the church and its place in my life.

Disillusionment with the institutional church brought on a dark night of the soul for me, and previous certainties vaporised in clouds of doubt.

This forced me to dig deeper into the core of my faith.

• What do I believe?
• Why do I believe it?
• How can I regain the joy in my belief when I am feeling so much pain and unease within the four walls of my church?

During this time of painful exile, a Benedictine friend introduced me to the lectio divina form of prayer.

I began to listen for the Word of God speaking to me personally in the scriptures.

I slowly learned to balance the knowledge of the mind with the emotions of the heart, for we need both.

Our faith is neither solely about black-and-white pronouncements, nor is it simply about warm, fuzzy feelings. It is about knowing what we believe, loving what we believe, and putting that belief into concrete action in the messiness of everyday life.

It is also about acknowledging that faith is a lifelong journey.

Because the Church says so is not enough

We will often find ourselves struggling with some aspect of our belief or unable to live up to the high standards set before us.

Sometimes we know what the church teaches but still do not understand or accept the reasoning behind a specific teaching.

The answer of "because the church says so" can be as ineffective as a parent's "because I said so."

Today, the accusation of being a "cafeteria Catholic" is flung around with the same zealousness as the term "heretic" was at one time.

Doctrinal police

Passionate traditionalists troll online discussion boards and blogs seeking to attack women and men who do not give their full assent to each and every teaching of the Catholic Church.

These self-appointed gatekeepers of orthodoxy believe it is for the glory of God and the good of the church that all questioners be denounced and told if they don't like it they can—and should—leave.

I have no desire to be part of the smaller, purer church envisioned by these doctrinal police.

The church must keep its doors open for all of us who are on an imperfect, bumpy, and often messy journey toward holiness.

As a writer, I have been the object of some mean-spirited attacks online. I once wrote an article questioning the derogatory use of the term "cafeteria Catholics," stating that in some ways we all pick and choose from the great buffet table of Catholicism.

I once wrote an article questioning the derogatory use of the term "cafeteria Catholics," stating that in some ways we all pick and choose from the great buffet table of Catholicism.

Several months later I discovered that I had been personally attacked on some Catholic blogs. My words were taken out of context, and I was denounced as a "militant atheist" who "spread calumny and false witness" and believed that we are all "irrational animals."

My words were taken out of context, and I was denounced as a "militant atheist" who "spread calumny and false witness" and believed that we are all "irrational animals."

I tried to shrug it off, but I had to admit that the attacks upset me. These people knew nothing about me, my relationship to the church, or my personal faith life. Nevertheless, based on a few written words of mine, they had

These people knew nothing about me, my relationship to the church, or my personal faith life.

Nevertheless, based on a few written words of mine, they had labelled me a heretic and dissenter.

In the Middle Ages, the church attempted to keep its purity by aggressively cleansing the ranks of all traces of unorthodoxy.

Inquisitors enforced loyalty oaths and sent spies to sniff out the slightest odour of heresy from pulpits, pews, and back streets.

It was a time of malicious accusations, unjust trials, and raging bonfires. Zealousness for the faith inspired crusader armies to battle heathens in the name of Jesus Christ.

It was a time of "if you're not with us, you're against us."

And, if you are against us, we believe that it is God's will that you experience the earthly wrath of the church now and eternal damnation in the hereafter.

It was a time of "if you're not with us, you're against us." And, if you are against us, we believe that it is God's will that you experience the earthly wrath of the church now and eternal damnation in the hereafter.

Here and now in the 21st century, the new evangelization calls us to put aside such a militant defence of the faith. Continue reading

• Isabella R. Moyer is the past president of the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities
• Image: Twitter

The Mission Centre is a unique venture for the Diocese of Palmerston North.

It combines the school and parish administration areas in one shared building.

The school and parish secretaries work alongside each other in an open plan space.

The principal and parish priest's offices are under the same roof.

The bishop of Palmerston North, Charles Drennan noted this has changed dramatically the foot traffic into the heart of the parish.

"Young parents and children and all their energy are a part of the Mission Centre, which is the heart of the school and parish alongside the Church," he said.

For the school and parish staff, the changes will take a bit of getting used to.

Parish priest, Fr Craig Butler, said the closer contact between the school and parish is a positive outcome, and that he is "enjoying working with the staff of the Mission Centre."

A parish worker noted that although things are now quite different, the Centre seems to be working well.

The school secretary, Raewyn Donbroski, has received a positive response on the new Centre from parishioners and parents.

Despite the bad weather, Bishop Charles said that the blessing and opening was "a really joyous occasion with lots of positive feedback and excitement."

It took place after the 9:30am mass. Bishop Charles blessed the rooms of the Mission Centre.

After that there were speeches in the hall and a performance from the school Kapa Haka group.

Among those attending the opening was the Deputy Mayor Phil Nixon.

Kaumatua Ray Edwards encouraged the people to be unified around the success of this new venture.

Source

• pndiocese.org.nz
• Image: pndiocese.org.nz

The city council's Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Awards acknowledge members of the community who have made outstanding contributions to the Capital and its people.

The picture above shows mayor, Justin Lester, Mr Keith Quinn, who received award on behalf of Scannell, and councillor Nicola Young.

Lester set the scene for presenting the awards.

"The Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Awards are about recognising the people who selflessly give so much to our communities", he said.

Wellington city councillor, Nicola Young introduced Scannell to the other recipients and invited guests.

She described him as a "tireless worker" who is "deeply involved in many areas of Wellington life".

Councillor Young lauded Scannell for making the decision to close the church in the interests of public safety, saying the decision was vindicated by scientific tests showing the church was only 20% of the building code.

Labelling both the fundraising campaign and Scannell's lead role as "ambitious", Young praised the St Mary's parish priest for continuing to lead his congregation throughout the challenging process.

Called out of Wellington for a funeral, Scannell had asked Keith Quinn to represent him.

"In accepting this award I have to say I think this is a classic example of a Wellington friendship which goes across diverse and different interests and beliefs - which can lead to firm friendships," Quinn said in reply to Councillor Young.

"I am not a churchgoer at all (and Barry obviously is!) but our friendship is real - I have always noted his total commitment to his faith and his church - and in particular the hard work he put in to the recent re-build of the Wellington icon which is St Mary's of the Angels".

Source

• sm.org.nz
• Image: smnz.org

They will begin in the ruined abbey at Bury St. Edmunds and finishing at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Dominican Sisters of St Joseph wear a full Dominican habits as a way of giving public witness to the faith wherever they go.

They have a special focus on youth work and the New Evangelisation.

The community was founded in England in 1994 as Roman Catholic Religious Congregation of diocesan rite.

They were formed by group of sisters originally belonging to the Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena, Oakford.

They say "Our congregation started out of a desire for renewal and deepening of Dominican life. We currently number 10 sisters." Continue reading

Angela Caddell started struggling with her Christianity 14 years ago when she came out as gay. But a gathering at a bar to talk faith over a cold beer once a month is helping her feel more connected to her religion. Continue reading

Since 2000, 14 million Catholics have left the faith, parish religious-education participation of children has dropped by 24 percent, Catholic school attendance has dropped by 19 percent, baptisms of infants has dropped by 28 percent, baptism of adults has dropped by 31 percent, and sacramental Catholic marriages have dropped by 41 percent.

Something is desperately wrong with the Church's approach to the New Evangelization.

The New Emangelization Project has documented that a key driver of collapse of Catholicism in the US is a serious and growing Catholic "man-crisis."

Large numbers of baptized Catholic men have left the Faith, and many of those who remain Catholic neither know nor practice the Faith and are not committed to passing the Faith on to their children.

Recent research shows that large numbers of young Catholic men are leaving the Faith, becoming "Nones," men who have no religious affiliation.

The growing losses of young Catholic men will have a devastating impact on the US Catholic Church in the coming decades, as older Catholic men pass away and young men fail to remain and marry in the Church, accelerating the losses that are already taking place.

While there are massive cultural forces outside of the Church (secularism, pluralism, anti-Christian bias, radical feminism, pornography, etc.) and missteps within the Church (failure to make men a priority, sex abuse scandals, etc.) that have contributed to the Catholic "man-crisis," the New Emangelization Project has conducted dozens of interviews with top men's evangelists that suggest a critical reason for the crisis is that bishops and priests have not yet made the evangelization and catechesis of men a clear priority.

Men are being ignored by the Church, and they know it. Continue reading

Sources

• The above article by Matthew James Christoff, who became a Catholic in 2006 and operates NewEmangelization.com, is from Catholic World Report.
• Image: The Catholic Sun

It is a distance of about 1.8km each way and a height gain of 250 metres.

Okarito is a small settlement the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.

It is famous for its scenic beauty.

Some years ago, someone divided the walk into twelve sections.

They marked each section with a large numbered stone inconspicuously set among palm fronds beside the path.

The idea was for the pilgrims to stop at each stone and have different people read a section of the Passion narrative from St. John's gospel.

"Quite a challenge, but not so much that most people of all ages could not take part," said Father Michael Mahoney, the parish priest of South Westland.

The walk was widely advertised in South Westland community newspapers and on bulletin boards in each town.

About 25 people, from various age groups, nationalities and towns took part, including a father behind a pushchair containing his infant daughter.

It took a couple of hours to reach the top and return.

Afterwards there were hot cross buns and soup at the 150 year old Donovan's Hall.

"In spite of being Good Friday it was a most joyous occasion, " said Fr Michael.

"All enjoyed the time between each "station".

"They spent the time getting to know their fellow walkers.

"One of the challenges in modern Catholic life is to find activities that connect youth with the Church," he said.

"On the West Coast of the South Island this is even more of a challenge."

"Most Coast youth go away to study or look for employment either during or after secondary school."

"And there are not many to start with!"

Michael says another challenge is presented by modern farming methods; there are less people working on farms.

"So less who take part in Church activities."

"With this in mind, in the South Westland parish we tried to think of an activity during Holy Week that might appeal to people, including youth, who would not normally be involved with Church activities and who probably don't belong to any Church and may not have any idea of why Christians celebrate Holy Week and Easter."

"All voted it a good way of marking Good Friday morning, and without doubt we will repeat it," he said.

Source

• Supplied

Cardinal Reinhard Marx told the French Jesuit journal Etudes that he finds this "concept" to be problematic.

The term "new evangelisation" was referred to by St John Paul II in Redemptoris Missio (33).

Its application is in places where large numbers of baptised Christians have drifted away from living the faith or no longer consider themselves to be members of the Church.

Cardinal Marx said the new evangelisation "could be mistaken for a model for a spiritual reconquest", as if the aim was to regain lost ground.

"It is not, however, about restoring or repeating what existed in the past, but rather, a new start, a new approach, a new situation," he said.

"In many discussions on the new evangelisation, I get the impression a lot of people think that most of Christianity's history is behind us and what lies ahead is an uncertain and distressing future.

"That is not the way to evangelise."

The cardinal said the issue is not about "a simple communication problem".

"This would mean that if we had more people, more financial resources and a stronger mass media presence, we could reach our goal."

But Cardinal Marx said he might well be able to accept the "new evangelisation" concept if it is accompanied by Church renewal.

He said there needs to be "an emphasis on the fact that we, not just Europe but we as a whole, are in a new situation with regards to the faith and we thus need to renew our way of thinking".

"In actual fact this is the process followed by the entire history of the Church," he said.

"We ourselves, as Church need to read the Gospel again and understand it, then live it," he noted.

For this reason, "it is not religious entrepreneurs that we need, but witnesses and testimonies".

Sources

• Vatican Insider
• Redemptoris Missio
• Image: National Catholic Reporter

Since the beginning of this year, that love started to disappear and his weekly columns in the Bay of Plenty Times had become a chore.

That's why he's decided to put away his pen and focus on enjoying the days he has left.

George, who has terminal cancer, said perhaps it was the pain medication he took, but the writing had stopped flowing like it used to.

He said in the past few months, his columns had been a good way of keeping his mind off what was happening to him.

He said he'd appreciated the freedom to write about whatever he wanted - and realised that the editors of papers often put up with "a lot of crap" because of his columns.

"Part of it is the fact that I have been blatantly Christian. A lot don't like that at all."

It's that Christian message shared through his Christmas and Easter columns in particular that he is most proud of.

Source

• www.nzherald.co.nz
• Image: truebluenz