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Fr Timothy Radcliffe challenges Catholics to speak about their faith


The acclaimed preacher and author, Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, challenged Catholics to speak openly and clearly about their faith at an international evangelisation congress last week. Addressing the International Congress for the New Evangelisation (ICNE) in Brussels, the former Master General of the Order of Preachers said in relation to young people: "If we are to meet their thirst for authenticity and scepticism about truth, then the Church faces a double challenge. First of all we must be recognised as truthful people, true to our own convictions, truthful in our doubts and questions, witnesses who are credible because of our personal authenticity. We must say what we really think, and live by our beliefs." He added: "At the heart of our evangelisation is the good news that the truth is one. In a world of fragmentary and contradictory meanings, we believe in the unity of truth in Christ. If we are to be credible witnesses to this, then we must be seen to recognise what is indeed true in the convictions and the experiences of those to whom we preach." Fr Radcliffe was addressing over 5,000 delegates from all over the world who had gathered for a week to listen to talks, attend workshops, pray, share experiences and participate in evangelisation activities in the heart of the city of Brussels. The English and Welsh delegation was coordinated by the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE) and headed by the Bishop Emeritus of Hexham and Newcastle, the Right Reverend Ambrose Griffiths. He said: "The Congress gave us all hope and an enlarged vision of the many new communities and numerous initiatives which are producing growth in the Church." The theme of the Congress was "Come and See" (John 1:39) and is the fourth of five consecutive events inspired by Cardinals from Belgium, Hungary, rance, Portugal and Austria. Five workshops were offered by people from England and Wales ranging from "What's New about the New Evangelisation?" to "Sharing Faith Using Simple Language." Joan Barker from St. Patrick's Church in Stockton was attending with her husband Bill for the first time and said: "It's been a marvellous experience. I am taking home with me two things; I've learnt the importance of evangelising through simply loving one another (the language of love cuts through all cultural barriers), and the power of sharing our faith through wearing and using Catholic signs and symbols." Next year's Congress, the final of the five, will be held in Budapest. Anyone interested in attending is invited to contact CASE. Tel. 020 8458 3316. Email: info@caseresources.org.uk Source: CASE

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