Seminar on 'Europe and the New Evangelization’ begins in Rome

November 22, 2011: The Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) celebrates its fortieth anniversary activities in the service of communion among the bishops in Europe with a seminar on "Europe and the New Evangelization" began in Rome on Tuesday.
‘Europe and the New Evangelization’ is the theme of a seminar Jointly organized by the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. The seminar which began on Tuesday in Rome reflect on subjects like "cultural context of Europe today and the Gospel" and "contribution of Catholics in European social and political life."
Those attending the seminar includes presidents of episcopal conferences and members of the CCEE, the heads of Vatican departments, ambassadors to the Holy See of the European countries and personalities from the world of culture and communication.
While welcoming the participants on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State said that ‘ it is a further step in the path of the new evangelization of Europe.’ A priority for the CCEE was from the outset the new evangelization, and rightly the occasion of the 40^th has called it back and renew it. It is particularly dear to the Holy Father Benedict XVI’, said Cardinal Bertone.
The baptized whose faith has been extinguished and are no longer practicing, the gospel must be preached with new fervor, new methods and new expressions.
Recalling the words of Pope Benedict XVI, he said that faith in the Word of God "despite the condition of modern man continues to grow and spread."
The Pope had cited three reasons for this growth: first, that "the power of the Word does not depend primarily on our action, but of God ..." and the second is that even today do not miss the "good ground" that allows the seed of the Word to bear fruit and the third is that "the proclamation of the Gospel is truly come to the ends of the world and even in the midst of indifference, misunderstanding, persecution, many continue today, with courage, to open their hearts and minds to receive the 'Call of Christ ".
We must learn new ways, making a careful and thorough study to maintain what is good and rejecting what is bad. It requires a joint effort.
The Church would like to take this challenge positively, offering to society as a whole a new way of meeting and dialogue from the Gospel. The new evangelization means to enhance the new shoots that sprout in an ancient forest, the Cardinal explained.