St. Volodymyr's Parish

The synod of bishops on the New Evangelisation has released a message that emphasises hope in the face of an increasingly secular culture, because Christ promises salvation, reports the Catholic News Agency.

Addressed to all "people of God,” the nearly 7,000-word proclamation focused on the theme that all the problems confronting the Church throughout the world – from evil expressed in bloody persecutions to the deadening allure of Western secularism – should not cause fear, because Christ promises salvation, now and forever.

"There is no room for pessimism in the minds and hearts of those who know that their Lord has conquered death and that his Spirit works with might in history,” it proclaims. "The work of the New Evangelization rests on this serene certainty.”

In fact, the most dire spiritual assaults on faith should be seen as opportunities, it says. Even "the most bitter forms of atheism and agnosticism” represent not a spiritual "void but a longing, an expectation that awaits an adequate response.”

At the synod press briefing on Friday, one reporter asked if the synod message was too optimistic.

Cardinal-designate Luis Tagle of Manila replied, "I think it is important to affirm that the Church is alive,” in spite of the "fear of some people about the decreased numbers of practicing Catholics … and the influence of oppressors of the Church quite increasing.”

FULL COVERAGE Vatican Evangelisation synod hits optimistic note in message to faithful (CNA)

Synod message: 'We must convert ourselves to Christ' (Catholic Herald)

Full text of synod message (Catholic Herald)