From the cathedral to the parish

“Metropolis mission” is the pastoral initiative for the new evangelization that will involve major European cities in the period of Lent 2012. The news was released on July 12 by Msgr. Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, upon the conclusion of the reunion at the seat of the new Vatican dycastery with the cardinals and bishops of Barcelona, Esztergom-Budapest, Mechelen-Bruxelles, Dublin, Cologne, Lisbon, Liverpool, Paris, Turin, Warsaw and Vienna. A new proposal and its renewed implementation. “It is an initiative that will be undertaken” by the Pontifical Council “in the coming months”, explained Msgr. Fisichella. “We have decided to name it ‘Metropolis mission’ as cardinals and bishops from European cities – at the moment only large urban centres – have agreed to jointly identify ways for the new evangelization within the framework of the ongoing crisis in Europe”. “In order to prevent the New Evangelization from becoming just a fortunate formula appropriate for all seasons – argued the president of the pontifical dicastery in an editorial on the Osservatore Romano – it must be filled with content that will qualify the pastoral work of the different Christian communities. In this sense, everyday pastoral work, which has always animated the life of the Church, will have to fully acknowledge that its proposal and implementation modalities must be renewed”. Concrete answers to great challenges. “Benedict XVI, speaking at the first plenary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization underlined how decisive it is to go beyond fragmentary approaches and present concrete signs capable of providing an answer to major challenges present across society”, recalled Msgr. Fisichella. The “metropolis mission” was thus conceived so as “to give a sign of unity amongst the various dioceses present in large European cities experiencing high degrees of secularism”. For the time being “the initiative is confined to just a few dioceses” in order to “concretely assess its efficacy”. However, the project “should be extended beyond the borders of the old continent, notwithstanding modalities respectful of the various cultural and ecclesial traditions”. The decision to focus on Europe, noted the prelate, “is determined by the fact that two Synods have reflected on the aforesaid situation. In 1991 and in 1999 the bishops analyzed not only the social and cultural conditions in these countries, but most of all they discussed the appropriate response that could be given by the Churches”. With “Ecclesia in Europa” John Paul II indicated the path that will recover the unitary commitment of the Churches. In this sense, the ‘metropolis mission’ should be understood as a first step”. Shared responsibility. The project “is characterized by the development of joint, contemporary initiatives, due to be carried out within the framework of ordinary pastoral care with a specific commitment for formation, and highlights in Lent 2012 with public gestures for the cities. The proposal of common initiatives carried out simultaneously is the original feature of the project”. Indeed, said Msgr. Fisichella, it is “a pastoral experience whereby the entire Christian community will be involved in evangelization”. The cathedral will be the central place for these signs: “Firstly, the reading of the Gospel will place the Word of God at the centre, followed by three catecheses by the bishop devoted to the youth, to the families and the catechumen on the themes of faith; then a celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation will converge attention on the sacrament of confession, also for its high anthropological value. A gesture of charity will complete the experience, thus emphasizing that faith, professed and prayed, must also be witnessed. Lastly, the reading of significant documents drawn from the Confessions of Saint Augustine will provide a further sign of spirituality marked by a cultural bearing”. The initiatives, remarked the head of the Vatican dicastery, “will be launched from the cathedral for its high symbolical value, with the intent of extending them to the parishes of the dioceses for more targeted action at local level. Indeed, the ‘metropolis mission’ wishes to reach out to all those who practice their faith but are unaware of how to introduce the faith in their daily lives as well as to those, who are distant from faith, but are attracted by Jesus Christ”. In this way “the dioceses proceed together for a common project, strengthened by the background of their specific past experiences , they mutually support one another in the difficulties they will encounter and – concludes Msgr. Fisichella – they look at the future cherishing hope in unity, for a recovered sense of participated responsibility and to promote the creative and credible contribution of all Christians”.