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Written Word > Articles & Commentaries > May 2009 > A Secular Europe and the Mission of the Church
Current rating: 4.3 (4 ratings)
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Gina Nakagawa
Were Jesus to sit on a hilltop in Europe and too soon in America, He would weep again. What have we done to His Bride? Where will it end? We have His promise about the gates of Hell, but they are certainly striving to win though the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
5/27/2009 1:44:23 PM
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Laurie Cherbonnier
It has always seemed to me that the Church is handed a golden opportunity on a silver platter to evangelize, with all those tourists right there at thecathedrals of Europe. Instead, the tourists are often kicked out quite grumpily whenever it is time for Mass. Passing out holy cards with people's names or even explaining what the Mass is all about might get people interested at a time when they are already in the mood to learn could bear fruit.
5/28/2009 3:46:50 PM
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RP Arjona
Europe, & the rest of the world for that matter, has always been changing, & with it the Church, the earthly icon of God's Kingdom. Secularism may be the dominant cultural influence now in Europe, but it will not have the last word. That is why, Jesus' Ascension commission still rings with much relevance & urgency even today: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature" (Mk 16,15).

I'm just not that convinced though that Europe's recent history of genocidal violence contributed much to the waning of Christianity. History has shown that periods of violence, persecution and distress, has the Church emerging even more strong & vibrant.

I'm not saying the world needs more suffering to bring people back to God. We just need more witnesses for the faith. We need to bring back the sense of a need for God.
5/28/2009 6:58:15 PM
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John DeStefano
Father Barron is correct. Witnessing is what we are called to do, Pentecost is a reminder of what our mission through Baptism is all about. Look at Pope Benedict. In all his travels, while the press and his detractors continue to attempt to confuse his efforts with politics, he is really only being a witness, to the hope we have in the risen Christ, and to unify the world in Him.
5/31/2009 10:51:05 PM
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