Seeking out youth and those who have become distant
Seeking out youth and those who have become distant (9%)
1. The Church is missionary by nature. Not only towards those who approach, but also towards people who don’t. She must go forth and seek everyone
2. Missionary laity, very effective. The task of evangelizing belongs to all who are baptized, not just the clergy
3. Distinguish between different types of distant people. The absent, those who have left, and those who are present but only routinely, without enthusiasm
4. The main causes of disaffection: disagreement with approach and position regarding certain matters, being judged negatively by people within the Church, feeling that the Church is unrelated to life
5. Alienated youth. They feel distant towards the language of the Church, its routine liturgy, and moral proposals
6. Catholic influencers reach those who are distant. 4% of their followers on social media are unbaptized (between 8 and 9 million people)
7. With extraordinary stories of conversion. An agnostic woman, follower of Sr. Xiskya on Twitter, contacted her personally requesting to be baptized
8. Internet, a privileged channel to reach even the distant. For example the series “The Chosen”
The voice of the participants
“Today, many young people are more and more distant and that is why it would be good if the Church did not wait for them to come to the Church, it should be the one who goes among them”
“Participating in social networks, today many people have access to one of them and that allows young people to receive the message, those more active in social media and who I consider to be the furthest away. There they interact, they ask questions, they feel listened and motivated”
“I love your account, all your reflections, it gives me something in my heart when I read you. I have always declared myself an atheist, but I am not so sure anymore, I would love to get a little closer to Him “
“Approach to people distanced by misinterpretation of the Church”
Missionary Voices
Following Jesus means respect the others
God’s love is for everybody
F. Damián María
Following Jesus means respect the others
Aldana Canale
The Magisterium, The Gospel
Magisterium
“evangelization is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ or who have always rejected him. Many of them are quietly seeking God, led by a yearning to see his face, even in countries of ancient Christian tradition. All of them have a right to receive the Gospel. Christians have the duty to proclaim the Gospel without excluding anyone. Instead of seeming to impose new obligations, they should appear as people who wish to share their joy, who point to a horizon of beauty and who invite others to a delicious banquet. It is not by proselytizing that the Church grows, but “by attraction “
Evangelii gaudium 14. 111
The Gospel
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine fin the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15, 4-7
Results of the questionnaires
I received the catholic baptism
%
Yes
%
No
I believe in the fundamentals of the Catholic faith (the Creed)
- yes, completely 77.9%
- I have doubts 14,2%
- No 5.4%
14% of the followers of catholic missionnaires are not baptized has doubts about the bases of Catholic faith (Credo)
and 4% do not believe
16.712
surveys analyzed
How to move forward?
Theological standpoint
The Church was born to announce the Gospel, which is full of parables and teachings on the importance of going to the lost sheep, and this should translate into a constant effort to strengthen ties and contacts with those who seem distant or indifferent.
Moral-behavioural standpoint
Insofar as the Church is apostolic, communities of the faithful should be encouraged to seek out those who have been part of it and have left, and those who have never heard of Christ or have not understood his words. In addition, the practices that lead people to take distance should be reviewed and, if necessary, reformed with a more open perspective.
Structural and organizational standpoint
Promote the missionary dimension of all baptized (missionary disciples), starting from all moments of catechesis and formation.
Pastoral-pedagogical standpoint
Support missionary work in all its forms, particularly that of digital missionaries, to reach people who has ont listened about Christ. Remembering that no one can be sure of their own salvation or of the condemnation of those who are supposedly wicked.