24 November 1989
Rome, Italy

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is very appropriate that during our three days here we should celebrate a votive Mass for the Evangelization of Peoples. For is it not a fact that it is the Orders, Congregations and Societies of Apostolic Life that are in the vanguard of evangelizing the nations of the world? What would happen if tomorrow the Superiors General were to withdraw all their men who are working in the mission fields of the Church? The missions ad gentes would virtually collapse. It is true that during Vatican Council II the Spirit of God moved the Bishops of the Church to assume greater responsibility for the missions of the Church. They were encouraged to look beyond the boundaries of their own dioceses and to share their personnel and resources with the countries and regions that are designated as missionary. Much has been accomplished. However, it is still the Orders, Congregations and Societies of Apostolic Life that are today shouldering the heaviest burden of evangelizing the peoples of the world.

Dare I say that the work of evangelizing peoples may have been somewhat easier fifty or a hundred years ago? The colonial era may have had many unattractive features, but it cannot be denied that at times and in some places missionaries were able to avail of facilities that assisted them in the task of preaching the good news of Christ. The colonial era has passed and the proclamation of the Gospel in mission countries faces challenges today which could be described as new.

There is the challenge for missionaries to be particularly sensitive to the cultures of the countries to which they go. In missionary seminaries today there are courses in inculturation. We would hardly have found such formal courses in seminary programs of a hundred years ago. There is, too, the growth of nationalism in many countries, which can be an impediment to the work of missionaries.

The fanaticism also of some Islamic countries has closed the door to the Christian missionary. Perhaps, too, the theology of the anonymous Christian may have cooled the ardor of some Christians to go forth from their homeland to proclaim the Gospel among religions than antedate Christianity.

Notwithstanding these difficulties, we must press ahead with the evangelization of peoples, for the command of Christ, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations," (Mt 28:19) is for all time. We must allow it to echo again and again in our own hearts and make it echo in those of the members of our Institutes. We must open ourselves to be strengthened by Our Lord's assurance, "I am with you always." (Mt 28:20). I knew an eminent professor of Church history who on several occasions remarked to me that he thought the great heresy in the Church today was Pelagianism. I ask, do we try to do too much on our own and, in doing so, magnify the difficulties of evangelization? We can be forgetful of Our Lord's silent presence and of the strength He is lending unceasingly to those whom He calls to the task of evangelization in countries other than their own. "I am with you always." (Mt 28:20).