New Book Explores Evangelisation in Catholic Context

The Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE) and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland are to launch a new book next week tackling issues surrounding evangelisation and Catholicism.

'Changing Evangelisation: Themes and Stories from Catholics in Local Mission' will give a unique insight into the way in which mission and outreach are understood by the Catholic community - the largest growing denomination in the UK.

The book is edited by Fr Philip Knights who commented: "Catholicism is experiencing growth both in the UK and in many parts of the world at present. This book attempts to provide an overview of the way Catholics understand their missionary identity. I'm sure that many will find it surprising and challenging."

Part One of the book explores the concept of an 'evangelical Catholic' and examines the importance of social justice work in evangelisation as well as the role of Charismatic Renewal in contemporary Catholicism.

Part Two, meanwhile, takes a closer look at examples of growth and renewal. Featured are the Life4Seekers website serving spiritual seekers, the St Patrick's School of Evangelisation, a brand new mission school at the heart of Soho's red light district in London, and the Catholic Evangelisation Services (CaFE) charity, which produces DVD resources offering practical help to Catholics on how to know and share their faith.

The Director of CASE, Mgr Keith Barltrop, said: "Many people have an image of Catholicism which is stagnant and uncreative. What this book reveals is a contemporary understanding, providing examples too, of what the late Pope John Paul II called the 'new evangelisation'; this is a missionary activity which is new in ardour, means and expression.

"It invites all to nurture a mentality and mission spirituality which can be of service to us all, irrespective of our denominations."

Janice Price, Executive Secretary of the Global Mission Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland said: "These pages tell stories of remarkable innovation and a clear and persistent movement of God's grace. Reading as a member of one of the Churches of the Reformation, it is clear how much we have to learn from such a picture. I warmly commend it to all who seek to take their part in God's mission in God's world."