Evangelii praecones
Gospel Praecones ( Heralds of the Gospel ) is a mission encyclical on June 2, 1951 by Pope Pius XII. was published. In this he writes, " on the promotion of the Catholic mission. " Reminds you at the same time to the 25th anniversary of the encyclical Rerum Ecclesiae by Pope Pius XI.
Twenty-five -year mission
With impressive figures, the Pope took the successful missionary work:
- From 1926 to 1951, the number of Catholic missions has risen from 400 to nearly 600;
- The number of Catholics in the mission areas has increased from 15 million to nearly 20.8 million;
- In the years 1926-1951 the number of native and foreign priests had risen in the emissions from 14,800 to 26,800;
- Whereas previously all the bishops in the missions foreigners, today there are 88 missions with a local bishop.
The " evangelism "
In the, in the classical sense to the task at the missionary he sees a lot of work that needs to be done by priests and lay people. But this classic mission was only one element of the Christian mission, whether it be important to add the concept of evangelism added. He recalls his inaugural encyclical Summi Pontificatus, in which he stated that, particularly anything that is not inextricably linked to the customs and practices of these peoples with religious error, always check with benevolence and - should be protected and promoted - whenever possible.
Messengers of the Good News
In the encyclical, Pope Pius XII referred to. the missionaries as messengers and heralds, they are apostles of Jesus Christ.
"His job does not want only European culture will transfer in its current state in distant mission lands and spread there, as you umpflanzt a tree. Rather, it is intended to make training and education of those nations that have sometimes with pride in their ancient culture and high so that they are well prepared to be happy to accept the principles of Christian morality and way of life and put them into practice. These principles can go together with any secular culture, provided that they are healthy and unspoiled. You can even strengthen their influence to protect human dignity and the achievement of happiness. Although the native Catholics are children of the great family of God and citizens of his empire in the first place so they remain at the same time citizens of their earthly fatherland "
The call to mission
However, it should also be mentioned, wrote Pius XII. , That the posting to the mission of evangelization is a special calling in non-Christian countries. It is not the task " to seek what his, but that which is Christ. " He reaches back again to Paul, who had described the work for Christ with the work of an " ambassador ". Although it is important to love his country, but the church should be loved with an even more passionate devotion.