Lifesite News has reported a ‘leaked’ document from Pope Francis to his C9 cabinet (C6 at the moment). Apparently he has also copied selected other (seemingly non-Curial) Cardinals, setting the groundwork for a document alleged to be promulgated on June 29, 2019, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. If what has so far been leaked is accurate, it is a plan to emphasize evangelization with a higher priority than doctrine.
But, of course, that is impossible! It would make teaching more important than the truth of what is being taught. It might work for some period of time in political recruiting, or in the fiction of advertising, or even for fake news, but without truth there cannot be a firm foundation for the Church or for souls.
The Commissioning of the Disciples
Here is how the Gospel of Matthew ends (NAB Chapter 28): (Note that words in brackets are suggested alternatives by the Greek source.)
16. “The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus
had ordered them.
17. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but they [some] doubted.
18. Then Jesus approached and said to them, ‘All power [authority] in heaven
and on earth has been given to Me.
19. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
20. teaching them to observe all [whatsoever] that I have commanded you.
21. And behold, I am with you always [all the days], until the end
[completion] of the age.'”
The words “Teaching them to observe ALL that I have commanded you” – imply no choice of what to teach or not to teach. Everything Christ taught must be taught, otherwise, in an omission, a lie is being taught. And those who would believe such a lie are exactly what a one world religion needs in order to thrive. If the dichotomy between truth and popularity is to be understood here, and if evangelization alone plunges ahead into false oneness, souls are in enormous danger.
At this point, we lack sufficient evidence to express the view that there is no danger. And, as part of the lay reaction to abuse in the Church, we need to determine how much ‘proof’ is needed before pulling the fire alarm for the benefit of our brothers and sisters in the Faith.
Here is the link to the LifeSite News article:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-to-raise-evangelization-above-Catholic-doctrine
When I heard that the Vatican was catapulting Evangelization Over Doctrine I became alarmed. Here we go again I thought; Vatican under Pope Francis downplaying revealed truth and official Church teaching.
Yet, the way our beloved Sister In Christ, Diane Harris, has framed the issue in her above post, inspires me to make some distinctions without suggesting I support this new Vatican move. Allow me to explain at the risk of being accused of splitting hairs. But words do matter.
Diane wrote, “It would make teaching more important than what is taught”. No, Evangelization is not teaching.
While Evangelization, Catechesis and Apologetics are Integrally related and can even overlap (consider Saint Pope Paul Vi’s Evangelii Nuntiandi), I suspect Pope Francis’ desire to emphasize Evangelization with a higher priority over doctrine reflects the Church’s mission to herald/announce/proclaim the Crucified/Risen Lord, Jesus Christ before discipline/teaching/catechizing new believers who recently encountered the Sonnof God through the Church announcing the KERYGMA.
Yes, I am still alarmed by any de-emphasis on revealed truth and official Church teaching. However, strictly speaking, the teaching of Christ can follow the initial announcement of the Good News that Christ died and rose again, (See 1Corinthians 15:1-4)
What the Holy Father, the Vatican, and all of us need to re-consider is how poorly taught, discipled and catechized are the many who have already encountered Christ in the Church’s initial announcement/Kerygma. The Holy Father’s reluctance to emphasize doctrine is very alarming.
Dear Dominick,
Thank you for your thoughtful remarks regarding the Evangelization post. I will stick with the word “teaching” because that is what Our Lord uses in Matthew 28:20. Of course He also calls for baptism, as primary, but He can’t mean wholesale forced baptism, because He respects the decisions of individual souls; He chose to create each person with ‘free will.’ So the implication is that successful evangelization inevitably means freely choosing baptism, and to be disciples of the Lord. There needs to be sufficient teaching in order for a soul to make a free choice. I agree with you that the announcement of the ‘good news’ is the essence of evangelization, which is based on the Greek word euangelízo, “yoo-ang-ghel-id’-zo; to announce good news (“evangelize”) especially the gospel:—declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).”
Doctrine is the life-giving kernel of Truth within the total teaching of the Good News and cannot be ignored, removed, or reduced even if it would make the teachings of Christ more “palatable” and attract more converts. Cheap conversions are no conversions at all. John Chapter 6 clearly shows that Christ will let the potential convert walk away rather than dilute His Teaching. I am very worried that the path of placing evangelization above doctrine is exactly what is confronted in John 6, the ‘hard teaching.’
So– we have these three which are the authority of the Church, conveyed through her priests — to teach, to rule, and to sanctify. We must first learn, then we must obey what we have learned, and be committed to being sanctified; i.e. being led deeper into holiness. We are not a finished product at baptism, but it is the beginning of a great journey. To those contemplating baptism, I would simply say to be careful of the voice of the world, and seek out shepherds who care deeply for their own and our holiness; those who want to pursue their responsibility not only to teach and rule, but most especially the effort to sanctify!
Thank you, Dominick. It is wonderful to have a brother in the Faith so willing to share mutual understanding. Peace! d
“Doctrine is a life-giving kernel of Truth within the total teaching of the Good News and cannot be ignored, removed, or reduced even if it would make the teachings of Christ more “palatable” and attract more converts. Cheap conversions are no conversions at all. John Chapter 6 clearly shows that Christ will let the potential convert walk away rather than dilute His Teaching. I am very worried that the path of placing evangelization above doctrine is exactly what is confronted in John 6. the ‘hard teaching.”
Absolutely! Thanks, Diane.
And, I am grateful to have been reminded that the evangelized and baptized believer now is called to submit to the Authority’s teaching, ruling and sanctifying.
A Worthwhile Article:
https://www.crisismagazine.com/2019/evangelization-and-doctrine-are-inseparable