Catholic Church backs initiative for inactive Catholics

An initiative to develop programs aimed at inviting Catholics back to the practice of their faith will be the first task of the new National Office for Evangelization on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

One of the key responsibilities of the National Office for Evangelization is assisting and supporting the Bishops in their work of promoting and developing works of evangelization.

This takes into account the needs of the great diversity of cultures and environments across Australia, with special attention given to Catholics who are not connected with the life of the Church.

Archbishop John Bathersby, Chairman of the Bishops Commission for Mission and Faith Formation, who will have oversight of the National Office for Evangelization said the Bishops of Australia are concerned with the decline in the practise of the faith.

“The National Office for Evangelization will give renewed emphasis to the need for the Church to reach out and share the good news of Jesus Christ with all Australians,” he said.

“In particular, the program for parishes to reach out, listen to and welcome inactive Catholics back to the practice of the faith is a very important step forward.” 

Some of the elements of the initiative supported by the Church include:

• Recognising that the decline in the practice of the faith is an important national issue.
• The program for the care of returning Catholics be considered as an appropriate national response to the Report on Disconnected Catholics by the Pastoral Projects Office
• Addressing this at a diocesan level, including arranging for training and support
• Encouraging parishes in each diocese to undertake an outreach program to support people in their local area.

The National Office for Evangelization will incorporate the Catholic Enquiry Centre as an agency of the ACBC in its own right, maintaining its outreach to those enquiring about the

Catholic faith.