Proselytism Archives

Without Holy Spirit, preaching becomes proselytizing, pope says

Catholic News Service, Vatican
Oct 2, 2019

A person who claims to preach the Gospel by convincing people of their beliefs in Jesus is not evangelizing, but proselytizing, Pope Francis said.

On American critics, Pope says he doesn’t want a schism but he’s not afraid of it

Pope in Madagascar
Sep 10, 2019

“There always is the schismatic option in the Church,” Francis said. “It’s a choice that the Lord leaves to human freedom. I am not afraid of schism … I pray for them not to happen, as the spiritual health of many people is at stake.”

Pope calls tiny Christian flock in Muslim nation to be ‘yeast’ of society

Pope in Morocco
Mar 31, 2019

On the second day of his overnight trip to Morocco, Pope Francis kicked off the day calling priests and religious to dialogue but not proselytism.

Christmas attacks confirm threats facing Christians in India

Global Church
Dec 30, 2016

Four separate incidents of violence and intimidation around Christmas time illustrates that India’s powerful militant Hindu nationalist movements continue to make life increasingly difficult for the country’s Christian minority.

Pope fires back at critics over ‘Amoris’, ecumenical outreach

Vatican
Nov 18, 2016

In a wide-ranging interview with Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian bishops, Pope Francis addressed criticism over his ecumenical efforts, saying he’s not bothered by it, but does distinguish among those who want to help and those who are simply hiding their own dissatisfaction.

Pope: Church’s mission is to draw people to Christ, not proselytize

Catholic News Service, Vatican
Oct 5, 2016

In his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis said that Christians are called to follow the example of St. Therese of Lisieux and draw people to faith in Christ by the power of attraction, not through proselytism, and also reflected on his trip to Georgia and Azerbaijan.