The process of evangelization

47. The Church, while ever containing in herself the fullness of the means of salvation, always operates "by slow stages". (¹¹²) The conciliar decree Ad Gentes clarifies well the dynamic of the process of evangelization: Christian witness, dialogue and presence in charity (11-12), the proclamation of the Gospel and the call to conversion (13), the catechumenate and Christian Initiation (14), the formation of the Christian communities through and by means of the sacraments and their ministers (1518). (¹¹³) This is the dynamic for establishing and building up the Church.

48. Accordingly, in conformity with this, evangelization must be viewed as the process by which the Church, moved by the Spirit, proclaims and spreads the Gospel throughout the entire world. Evangelization:

– is urged by charity, impregnating and transforming the whole temporal order, appropriating and renewing all cultures; (¹¹⁴)

– bears witness (¹¹⁵) amongst peoples of the new way of being and living which characterizes Christians;

– proclaims explicitly the Gospel, through "first proclamation", (¹¹⁶) calling to conversion. (¹¹⁷)

– initiates into the faith and the Christian life, by means of "catechesis" (¹¹⁸) and the "sacraments of Christian initiation", (¹¹⁹) those who convert to Jesus Christ or those who take up again the path of following him, incorporating both into the Christian community; (¹²⁰)

– constantly nourishes the gift of communion (¹²¹) amongst the faithful by means of continuous education in the faith (homilies and other forms of catechesis), the sacraments and the practice of charity;

– continuously arouses mission, (¹²²) sending all the disciples of Christ to proclaim the Gospel, by word and deed throughout the whole world.

49. The process of evangelization, (¹²³) consequently, is structured in stages or "essential moments": (¹²⁴) missionary activity directed toward non-believers and those who live in religious indifference; initial catechetical activity for those who choose the Gospel and for those who need to complete or modify their initiation; pastoral activity directed toward the Christian faithful of mature faith in the bosom of the Christian community. (¹²⁵) These moments, however, are not unique: they may be repeated, if necessary, as they give evangelical nourishment in proportion to the spiritual growth of each person or of the entire community.