Cardinal Napier: new evangelization needs new approaches and new fervour

(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, Archbishop of Durban in South Africa, is one of the participants at the ongoing Synod of Bishops of the New Evangelization.

Speaking to Vatican Radio's Linda Bordoni, he reflects on some of the main issues of concern surfacing at the Synod and comments on the interventions that have made the deepest impression on him.

He confesses that the issue brought up during Synod sessions regarding the need to minister to God's flock with more humility, has taken him by surprise...

listen to the interview...

Cardinal Napier says that in his experience most people do go about their work in ministry, relying on the Lord's grace to do so.

However he agrees that the issue regarding the need for humility has come across so strongly in the Synod, indicating that perhaps, one of the failures in the Church in the past while, has been the perception that the Church is proud. That the Church's leaders are not in contact with the people on the ground. However he says it is good to know about this and expresses his hope it be reflected in the final document.

As regards the issue brought up at the Synod regarding a possible distance and discrepancy between the Church and the reality of modern families, Cardinal Napier says that in Southern Africa in general, the bishops have a fairly close working relationship with ordinary folk.

Necessity in fact - he explains - has led priests to "rely on laity and cathechists, so they are really in touch with them and with what happens on the ground". So, he concludes, distinctions have to be made as regards different parts of the world.

In South Africa, Cardinal Napier reveals, we are entereing a new process of consultation with the laity to make sure that communication is taking place between the leadership and the membership of the Catholic Church.