The Catholic Church does not do proselytism and, if someone wants to join it, such decision "must be respected". It was said this morning by card. William Joseph Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as he spoke at the presentation of the "Doctrinal Note on some aspects of evangelisation", written by the Congregation itself. In his speech, the Prefect spoke of the two anthropological implications of evangelisation: freedom and truth. Knowing the truth of the Christian faith he said "is a great blessing for mankind". "At the same time, human dignity requires that the pursuit of such truth respect the freedom of human conscience". "It ensues that evangelisation must never resort to any coercive action or convert with tricks unworthy of the Gospel". In this delicate balance between truth and freedom, the Prefect spoke of the "ecumenical implications" of evangelisation, stating that the Note "takes inspiration from the modern ecumenical movement". "The work of evangelisation amidst Christians of different confessions leads to dialogue and to the sharing of gifts that promote a deeper conversion to Christ. When an individual deliberately decides to join the Catholic Church, such decision must be respected, without accusing the Catholic Church of a negative form of proselytism".
