Catholic Mission & Evangelism (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A) : Revision Note

The significance of mission & evangelism for Catholics

• Evangelism means the practice of sharing the Christian message of salvation through Jesus Christ 

  • The aim is to bring as many people as possible into the Christian faith

  • One way of doing this is by preaching the gospel to others

  • However, it is not the only way to spread the message of Jesus

• Mission is a form of evangelism in which the Church sends people out to care for the needs of people all over the world

  • These people are called missionaries and they carry out work such as providing medical aid, education and practical help to others

  • Missionaries hope that they show God’s love in their actions and that this may bring people to the faith

• Mission and evangelism is significant because it is how the message of Christianity spreads worldwide

  • It has been part of the work of the Church since the early days of the faith

• Jesus commanded his apostles to carry out this work at the end of his own mission on earth, saying:

• Therefore by carrying out this work, Catholics are following the teaching and example set by Jesus

• Pope Francis encouraged mission and evangelism in his address Evangelii Gaudium, teaching Catholics:

• Catholic missionaries and evangelists continue to share the message of the gospel locally, nationally and globally

• Examples of Catholic organisations that work on a national and global scale include the Society of St Vincent de Paul, the Corrymeela community and Pax Christi

The aims & importance of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

• The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) was founded in 1833 in Ireland

• The purpose of the SVP is to put Catholic Social Teaching into action through its work for the most vulnerable members of society

• SVP volunteers:

  • Help the homeless

  • Visit the sick and people in prison

  • Support people suffering from addiction

  • Befriend the lonely

  • Feed the hungry

• SVP volunteers offer practical support but also training and financial help for those who need it

• Its members carry out their work through support centres, where they offer counselling services

• SVP volunteers aim to offer support for anyone in need, regardless of faith or background

• This work is important because it:

  • Puts the gospel teaching to ‘love your neighbour’ into practical action 

  • Helps to break down barriers between people

  • Supports the most vulnerable members of society

  • Offers people support and friendship

  • Helps people to have feelings of self-worth and dignity, and gives them the chance to live a better life

The aims & importance of the Corrymeela Community

• The Corrymeela Community was started in Northern Ireland in 1965

• It was founded by Ray Davey who had witnessed the destruction of the city of Dresden through bombing in the Second World War

• The aim of the Corrymeela Community was to promote peace and to heal the political and religious divisions in the country of Northern Ireland

• The Corrymeela Community works for peace and reconciliation in all elements of society

• It works with families where there is tension, with youth groups, schools, and community groups

  • The Corrymeela Community also helps political parties and faith groups

• It offers community building schemes, advice and counselling

• The purpose of the Corrymeela Community is to put Catholic Social Teaching into action through promoting peace and reconciliation and resolving conflict

• Although the work has now spread worldwide, the focus is still on reconciliation within communities in Northern Ireland

• This work is important because it:

  • Puts the gospel teaching to ‘love your neighbour’ into practical action 

  • Helps individuals, family groups and wider communities to resolve their issues

  • Promotes peace and reconciliation, so that people can live better lives

  • Improves inter-community relationships which is particularly important in Northern Ireland, where peace and reconciliation is fragile and needs to be protected

The aims & importance of Pax Christi

• Pax Christi is an international Catholic organisation that works for human rights and peace worldwide

• Pax Christi works with teachers, chaplains and youth workers to educate young people about peace, reconciliation and non-violence

• It raises awareness of the need for peace through protests, demonstrations and discussions

• Pax Christi also works to promote human rights and to highlight injustices, such as the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers and refugees

• The purpose of Pax Christi is to put Catholic Social Teaching into action through promoting the need for peace and a world without conflict

• This work is important because it:

  • Puts the gospel teaching to ‘love your neighbour’ into practical action 

  • Aims to promote peace and non-violence in all areas of the world

  • Raises awareness of many important issues in society, including environmental destruction, war and the arms trade, human rights, and the death penalty

  • Highlights injustices in the world and aims to resolve them