The new evangelization: faith, people, context and practice

The Second Vatican Council endorsed an engagement with the modern and secularized world through a renewed proclamation of the Gospel. John Paul II described this as theNew Evangelization, and in 2010, Benedict XVI confirmed this priority by creating the Pontifical Council for Promoting theNew Evangelizationto 're-propose the perennial truth of the Gospel.'The New Evangelization was the subject of the Synod of Bishops in 2012 and in 2014 Pope Francis gave his reflections on the topic inEvangelii Gaudium.The New Evangelizationdraws on material presented and discussed at the conference 'Vatican II, 50 Years On: The New Evangelization'organised by Leeds Trinity University on 26-29th June 2012. Part I traces the historical and theological links between the Council and theNew Evangelization. Part II examines the renewed understanding of the Church as a result of the Council and the extent to which it is shaped by civilization. Part III analyzes the nature of theNew Evangelizationand its outworking in today's multifarious context of cultures, religions and societies. Part IV deals with the implementation of theNew Evangelizationby different communities and organizations and the issues this raises. In the Introduction and Conclusion, the editors reflect on theNew Evangelizationin the light of significant developments since 2012.