ANE Document Library

Writings from the Second Vatican Council

The primary mission of the Church is to evangelize and save souls and, therefore, many of its writings concern evangelization. There are several documents from the Second Vatican Council which focus in particular upon evangelization by the laity:

Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium – The Document begins by stating the Church's basic mission to evangelize:
"Christ is the Light of nations. Because this is so, this Sacred Synod gathered together in the Holy Spirit eagerly desires, by proclaiming the Gospel to every creature, to bring the light of Christ to all men, a light brightly visible on the countenance of the Church S … The present-day conditions of the world add greater urgency to this work of the Church so that all men, joined more closely today by various social, technical and cultural ties, might also attain fuller unity in Christ."
Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity – The Decree stresses the important role the laity must play must play in the Church. The Decree begins with the words:

"To intensify the apostolic activity of the people of God, the most holy synod earnestly addresses itself to the laity, whose proper and indispensable role in the mission of the Church has already been dealt with in other documents. The apostolate of the laity derives from their Christian vocation and the Church can never be without it. Sacred Scripture clearly shows how spontaneous and fruitful such activity was at the very beginning of the Church (cf. Acts 11:19-21; 18:26; Rom. 16:1-16; Phil. 4:3). Our own times require of the laity no less zeal: in fact, modern conditions demand that their apostolate be broadened and intensified. With a constantly increasing population, continual progress in science and technology, and closer interpersonal relationships, the areas for the lay apostolate have been immensely widened particularly in fields that have been for the most part open to the laity alone."
Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church – The Decree begins with the words:

"Divinely sent to the nations of the world to be unto them "a universal sacrament of salvation," the Church, driven by the inner necessity of her own catholicity, and obeying the mandate of her Founder (cf. Mark 16:16), strives ever to proclaim the Gospel to all men. The Apostles themselves, on whom the Church was founded, following in the footsteps of Christ, "preached the word of truth and begot churches." It is the duty of their successors to make this task endure "so that the word of God may run and be glorified," (2 Thess. 3:1) and the kingdom of God be proclaimed and established throughout the world. In the present state of affairs, out of which there is arising a new situation for mankind, the Church, being the salt of the earth and the light of the world (cf. Matt. 5:13-14), is more urgently called upon to save and renew every creature, that all things may be restored in Christ and all men may constitute one family in Him and one people of God. Therefore, this sacred synod, while rendering thanks to God for the excellent results that have been achieved through the whole Church's great - hearted endeavor, desires to sketch the principles of missionary activity and to rally the forces of all the faithful in order that the people of God, marching along the narrow way of the Cross, may spread everywhere the reign of Christ, Lord and overseer: of the ages (cf. Ecc. 36:19), and may prepare the way for his coming. "

Writings by Pope Paul VI on Evangelization

Pope Paul VI called the Church to evangelization during and after the Second Vaticn Council:

The Apostolic_Duty of the Church – In an address to the Pontifical Missionary Societies, Pope Paul affirmed that their task was not only administrative, providing means to the various missionary zones, but also educational, in making all Christians aware of their part in the evangelization of the world.
The Worldwide_Apostolate of the Church – In his address during the General Audience (22 May 1968), Pope Paul VI gave illuminating direction on the Apostolate of the Laity both within the Church and in the world at large.
Evangelization in the Modern World – Evangelii Nuntiandi, promulgated.on December 8, 1975, is an an Apostolic Exhortation by Paul VI on evangelization in general, and the particular needs of the modern world as regards evangelization.

Pope John Paul II calls to a New Evangelization

Throughout his pontificate, Pope John Paul II and the Vatican offices have written extensively on Evangelization:

The Holy Father calls the Church to a New Evangelization , new in ardor, methods and expression.
Christifideles Laici – An Apostolic Exhortation on the vocation and the mission of the lay faithful in the Church and in the world was issued on December 30, 1988. This Exhortation intends to stir and promote a deeper awareness among all the faithful of the gift and responsibility they share, both as a group and as individuals, in the communion and mission of the Church.
Redemptoris Missio - The Encyclical on Evangelization, issued on December 7, 1990, has as its goal an interior renewal of faith and Christian life. The Pope seeks to inspire everyone to renew the Church by missionary activity since faith is strengthened when it is given to others.
Tertio Millennio Adveniente - The Apostolic Letter on the "Great Jubilee Year 2000 and Entering the New Millennium", released on November 14, 1994, was written to "ensure that the great challenge of the year 2000 is not overlooked ". The Vatican Information Service provided a summary of the Apostolic Letter.
Ecclesia in Africa Apostolic - An Exhortation, made public on September 15, 1995, has as its theme the evangelizing mission of the Church in Africa as the year 2000 approaches.
Encounter with the Living Jesus Christ the Way to Conversion, Communion and Solidarity in America - A Lineamenta for the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for America, issued on January 8, 1996, has its theme the more effective fulfillment of the new evangelization.
Incarnationis_Mysterium - The Mystery of the Incarnation - The Papel Bull of Induction of the Great Jubilee Year 2000 dated November 29, 1998.
Ecclesia_in America - An Apostolic Exhortation to the Church in America on Evangelization, issued on January 23, 1999 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. is the Pope's response to the Synod of the Bishops of America held in Rome in 1997. The Exhortation should be considered the millennial program of Catholic life and evangelization for the Church in America - the single continent stretching from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego.
Ecclesia in Asia - The Apostolic Exhortation to the Church in Asia on Evangelization, promulgated on November 6, 1999, in New Delhi, India, as the Holy Father officially closed the work of the Synod for Asia. The work of the Synod is intended to guide the Church in Asia into the Third Millennium, in its evangelization of that continent.

Pope John Paul II has also spoken many times during his visits throughout the world on Evangelization:

Mary, the Evangelizer of the Americas, Mexico City, Mexico 1990 - The Pope spoke primarily about evangelization:
"Now that we are preparing to celebrate the Fifth Centenary of the Evangelization of America, the beatification of Juan Diego and of the child martyrs of Tlaxcala makes us recall the first fruits of the preaching of the faith in these lands. The Gospel of Jesus Christ penetrated Mexico through the apostolic zeal of the first evangelizers. They announced Jesus Christ crucified and risen and established as Lord and Saviour; they attracted multitudes to the faith with the strength of the Holy Spirit which set their missionary words and their evangelizing hearts on fire. That ardent evangelizing activity was an answer to the missionary mandate of Jesus to his apostles and to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost..."

"The recognition of the cult which for centuries has been paid to the layman Juan Diego takes on a special importance. It is a strong call to all the lay faithful of this nation to assume all their responsibilities, for passing on the Gospel message and witnessing to one faith active and working in the sphere of Mexican society. From this privileged spot of Guadalupe, ever-faithful heart of Mexico, I wish to call on all the Mexican laity, to commit themselves more actively to the re-evangelization of society."
Faith and the New_Evangelization, Veracruz, Mexico 1990 - The theme of the service was "Faith and the new evangelization"; during his homily the Pope not only praised the first evangelizers of the Americas, but also encouraged everyone to participate in the "New Evangelization". One of his many comments on evangelization was:
"To evangelize means to announce the Good News. And the Good News which the Christian communicates to the world is that God, who alone is Lord, is merciful towards all his creatures, loves man with limitless love and has sought to intervene personally in his history by means of his Son Jesus Christ, who died and rose for us, to free us from sin and from all its consequences and to make us sharers in his divine life."
The Pope's Homily Address at Vespers, Newark Cathedral on October 4, 1995 - The Pope spoke about evangelization:
"The stirring challenge of the new evangelization - the aim of which is to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the center of history, the hope of humanity and the joy of every heart (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 45) - was faced by last year's Archdiocesan Synod. I greet with affection all of you who so zealously took part as Delegates in that important assembly. The Synod wisely called for a great mobilization of resources so that all Catholics would receive the solid spiritual and doctrinal formation needed in order to bear convincing witness to their faith and assume their full role in the Church's mission."
The Pope's Homily at the Mass he celebrated at Giants Stadium, New Jersey, USA on October 5, 1995 - In his homily he spoke of the Church's primary mission to evangelize and referred to the need for a new evangelization:
"As we prepare to celebrate the two thousandth anniversary of Christ's Birth, your Synod, like the whole Church, recognized the need for a new evangelization, a new and vital proclamation of the Gospel aimed at integrating your faith ever more fully into the fabric of your daily lives."
The Pope's Homily at the Mass he celebrated at Aqueduct Race Track in New York, USA on October 6, 1995 - In his homily he again spoke of the Church's primary mission to evangelize:
"The Spirit, in fact, is the active agent of the Church's evangelizing mission. For this reason, the Church constantly invokes the Holy Spirit upon individual communities, and today we renew that invocation here, at the Aqueduct Race Track in Queens."
The Pope's Homily at the Mass he celebrated at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico, on Saturday morning, January 23, 1999. This Mass was the focal point of the Holy Father's Pastoral Visit to America to conclude the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops, held in the Vatican from 16 November to 12 December 1997. In his Homily, the Holy Father referred often of Our Lady of Guadalupe:
"I have come here to place at the feet of the mestiza Virgin of Tepeyac, Star of the New World, the Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in America, which incorporates the contributions and pastoral suggestions of that Synod, entrusting to the Mother and Queen of this continent the future of its evangelization."
A Call to Evangelization - January 24, 1999 in Mexico City, Mexico - The Pope spoke about evangelization:
"Dear sons and daughters, even in the most difficult moments of your history you have always known how to recognize the Teacher "who has the words of eternal life" (cf. Jn 6:68). Bring Christ's word to those who still do not know it! Have the courage to bear witness to the Gospel in the streets and squares, in the valleys and mountains of this nation! Promote the new evangelization according to the Church's guidelines."
Mary - the Evangelizer of the Americas - January 24, 1999 in Mexico City, Mexico. The Holy Father gave a short reflection on the role of Mary in the evangelization of America. He ended his reflection with these words:
"May love for the Mother of God, so characteristic of American piety, help guide your own life according to the spirit and values of the Gospel, so that you may bear witness to them in the world. Our Lady of Guadalupe, intimately associated with the birth of the Church in America, was the radiant Star which illumined the proclamation of Christ the Saviour to the children of these peoples, helping the first missionaries in their evangelization. I ask her, who bore the "Good News of God" in her womb (Evangelii nuntiandi, n. 7), to help them be witnesses of Christ to others. May Blessed Mary intercede for us and, with her motherly protection, accompany us in this inspiring commitment."
The New Evangelization - January 25, 1999 in Mexico City, Mexico. In his address the Holy Father spoke about the 21st century, the century of the new evangelization and of the great challenge for Christian young people:
"Evangelization, an essential task, the mission and vocation of the Church (cf. Evangelii nuntiandi, n. 14), stems precisely from faith in the Word, who is the true light that enlightens every man coming into this world (cf. Jn 1:9). I say to you who have joined the Pope today, here or through the media: take responsibility for spreading the light you have received!

"A century and millennium will soon be ending in which, despite so many conflicts, the value of the person has been promoted over social, political and economic structures. In this regard, the new evangelization also contains the Church's response to this important change of historical perspective. Each of you, by your own way of life and Christian commitment, must bear witness throughout America and the world that Christ is the true champion of human dignity and of its freedom."
Message for the World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities - On May 27, 1998, before an immense assembly of 300,000, which overflowed St Peter's Square and practically filled the nearby streets all the way down to the Tiber River. The World Congress was organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity and held in Rome from May.27 to 29, 1998. Pope John Paul II pointed out that:
"after 2,000 years of Christianity, the inexhaustible fruitfulness of the Spirit is always active and evokes a new springtime in the Church."

The Holy Father also said that new ecclesial movements:

"represent one of the most significant fruits of that springtime in the Church which was foretold by the Second Vatican Council, but unfortunately has often been hampered by the spread of secularization."

The Pope further stated that the presence of these movements:

"is encouraging because it shows that this springtime is advancing and revealing the freshness of the Christian experience based on personal encounter with Christ".
Movements, a "New Springtime in the Church" - A Zenit news report from the Vatican summarizing the May 27-29, 1998 World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities.
In a June 3, 1999 Message to the International Convention of Movements and New Ecclesial Communities the Holy Father said:
"It is beautiful and gives us joy to see how the movements and new communities feel the need to come together in ecclesial communion, and try with concrete acts to share the gifts they have received, support one another in difficulty and cooperate to face the challenges of the new evangelization together."
June 18, 1999 Message to the Cardinals and Bishops attending the Pontifical Council for the Laity Seminar on Movements and New Communities in which the Holy Father said:

"Those who have charge over the Church should judge the genuineness and proper use of these gifts, through their office not indeed to extinguish the Spirit, but to test all things and hold fast to what is good … Your great responsibility is not to impede the Spirit's gift, but, on the contrary, to make it bear ever greater fruit in service to the entire Christian people".
Evangelization in Latin America - On Tuesday, 22 June, the Holy Father received in audience those taking part in the symposium on The Last 100 Years of Evangelization in Latin America and he said:
"the proclamation of Jesus Christ, who is "the 'Good News' of salvation made known to people yesterday, today and for ever; but he is also the first and greatest evangelizer. The Church must make the crucified and risen Christ the centre of her pastoral concern and evangelizing activity. "Everything planned in the Church must have Christ and his Gospel as its starting-point". Therefore, "the Church in America must speak increasingly of Jesus Christ, the human face of God and the divine face of man"
"Young People Must Bring The Gospel Into The New Millennium" - On January 15, 2000, the Holy Father received the representatives of Episcopal Conferences and various ecclesial associations, who were meeting in Rome to prepare for the next World Youth Day, and he said:
I pray the Lord that the next World Youth Day will encourage those taking part to profess their faith together at the beginning of the third millennium. In this city and in this Church of Rome, made fruitful by the blood of the Apostles and martyrs, the world's young people will gather to fix their gaze on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (cf. Heb 12:2), and to offer him their Christian commitment in response.

I am sure that they will set out again on their paths of life to be workers for the new evangelization and builders of the civilization of love. It is primarily their responsibility to "ferry" the Gospel into the first century of the new millennium. (cf. Tertio millennio adveniente, n. 58), imbuing their daily life with the unchangeable values contained in this eternal and unchangeable "Book of Life".
"Evangelization Depends on Ecumenical Commitment" - On 18 January 2000, the first day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Holy Father presided at an Ecumenical Celebration at the Basilica of St Paul-Outside-the-Walls and opened the Holy Door of the fourth and last of Rome's patriarchal basilicas. Present were Metropolitan Athanasios, of Heliopolis and Thera, and Dr George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, with representatives of over 20 Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities. During the service the Pope preached on the theme of Christian unity and said:
"Dear brothers and sisters, my wish at this solemn moment is that the year of grace 2000 will be an opportunity for all of Christ's disciples to give new impetus to the ecumenical commitment and to welcome it as a demand of the Christian conscience. The future of evangelization, the proclamation of the Gospel to the men and women of our time, greatly depends on this."

Documents concerning the Apostolate of the New Evangelization

The birth and formation of the ANE
The Lenten 1998 Pastoral_Letter of the Archbishop of Cochabamba, Msgr René Fernández Apaza, introducing the ANE and presenting his Work Plan to implement the ANE
The May 1999 Decree by the Archbishop of Cochabamba officially establishiing the ANE as a lay apostolate of the Church

I	Writings from the Second Vatican Council
II	Writings by Pope Paul VI on Evangelization
III	Calls to a New Evangelization by Pope John Paul II
IV	Documents concerning the Apostolate of the New Evangelization