By Nicolas Borovich, University of the People
Esteemed Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters in Christ,
As we gather in this historic assembly of the Third Vatican Council, convened to discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the Catholic Church in this pivotal moment, I stand before you to address an issue of utmost urgency: the need for a renewed approach to evangelization in a rapidly changing, secular, and digital world. The Church, entrusted with the mission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20), faces unprecedented challenges in a global society increasingly disconnected from faith, skeptical of institutions, and immersed in digital culture. If we are to fulfill Christ’s mandate, we must adapt our methods of evangelization without compromising the timeless truths of our faith. This issue demands our utmost attention, for the salvation of souls and the vitality of the Church depend on our ability to bring the light of Christ to a world that so desperately needs it.
The Context: A World Transformed
The world today is profoundly different from the one that shaped the deliberations of Vatican I and Vatican II. Secularization has swept through many regions, particularly in the West, where once-vibrant Catholic communities have seen declining church attendance, fewer vocations, and a growing number of young people identifying as “nones”—those with no religious affiliation. According to a 2020 Pew Research study, nearly 40% of young adults in the United States claim no religious affiliation, a trend mirrored in Europe, Latin America, and beyond. This is not merely a statistical anomaly but a cultural shift that challenges the Church’s relevance in the minds of millions. Simultaneously, the digital revolution has transformed how people communicate, form relationships, and seek meaning. Social media platforms, streaming services, and artificial intelligence shape the worldviews of billions, often promoting values at odds with the Gospel—individualism, relativism, and consumerism. Yet, these same platforms offer unprecedented opportunities to reach souls across the globe. The Church cannot ignore this digital frontier, nor can it rely solely on traditional methods of evangelization that, while effective in the past, may not resonate with a generation raised on smartphones and instant connectivity. Moreover, the Church faces internal challenges. Scandals, divisions, and a perceived disconnect between doctrine and the lived experiences of the faithful have eroded trust in some quarters. Young people, in particular, often view the Church as outdated or irrelevant to their struggles with mental health, identity, economic uncertainty, and ecological crises. If we are to fulfill our mission, we must address these realities with courage, humility, and creativity.
The Call: A New Evangelization for a New Era
The term “new evangelization,” championed by St. John Paul II, calls us to proclaim the Gospel anew with fresh ardor, methods, and expressions. While Vatican II laid the foundation for engaging the modern world, and subsequent popes have built upon this vision, the Third Vatican Council must take the next step: articulating a bold, unified strategy for evangelization that meets the challenges of the 21st century. This renewed evangelization must be rooted in three pillars: authenticity, accessibility, and accompaniment.
1. Authenticity: Living the Gospel with Integrity
The first pillar of renewed evangelization is authenticity. In an age of skepticism, people are not swayed by mere words but by the witness of lives transformed by Christ. The Church must embody the Gospel through holiness, charity, and transparency. This begins with addressing the wounds caused by scandals, particularly those involving clergy abuse and financial mismanagement. While significant steps have been taken, the Church must continue to demonstrate accountability, ensuring that justice and healing remain priorities. As Pope Francis has emphasized, the Church must be a “field hospital” for the wounded, not a fortress for the self-righteous.
Authenticity also demands that we live out the Gospel’s call to love and justice in tangible ways. The Church’s social teaching—on poverty, migration, environmental stewardship, and human dignity—must be at the forefront of our witness. For example, the ecological crisis, as highlighted in Laudato Si’, resonates deeply with younger generations who are passionate about climate action. By championing care for our common home, the Church can show that faith is not divorced from the pressing issues of our time but offers a moral framework to address them.
Finally, authenticity requires us to engage with the questions and doubts of the modern world. We must not shy away from difficult topics—such as sexuality, science, or religious pluralism—but approach them with humility, charity, and fidelity to the truth. By fostering open dialogue, we demonstrate that the Church is a place where seekers can find answers, not judgment.
2. Accessibility: Meeting People Where They Are
The second pillar is accessibility, particularly in the digital realm. If the Church is to reach the billions who inhabit online spaces, we must embrace technology as a tool for evangelization. This does not mean simply creating social media accounts or streaming Masses, though these are important. It means developing a robust digital presence that engages people on their terms. For example, short-form video content, podcasts, and interactive platforms can convey the Gospel in ways that resonate with digital natives. The success of initiatives like Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire or the Hallow prayer app demonstrates the potential of digital evangelization to reach millions.
However, accessibility goes beyond technology. It requires us to speak the language of the people we seek to reach. This means crafting homilies, catechesis, and outreach that connect with the lived experiences of diverse communities—urban and rural, affluent and poor, young and old. For instance, young people grappling with mental health challenges need to hear that the Church offers not only spiritual solace but practical support through counseling ministries and community programs. Similarly, immigrants and marginalized groups must see the Church as a welcoming home, not a distant institution.
Accessibility also demands greater lay involvement. The clergy alone cannot carry the burden of evangelization. Lay men and women, equipped with formation and empowered by their baptismal call, must take the lead in their families, workplaces, and communities. The Third Vatican Council should prioritize the development of lay formation programs that equip Catholics to share their faith confidently and creatively.
3. Accompaniment: Walking with People in Faith
The third pillar is accompaniment, a term dear to Pope Francis. Evangelization is not about delivering a message and walking away; it is about walking alongside people as they encounter Christ. This requires a shift from a transactional approach to evangelization—focused on numbers or conversions—to a relational one that prioritizes listening, understanding, and journeying together.
Accompaniment is especially critical for young people, who often feel alienated from the Church. Youth ministries must move beyond mere entertainment to provide spaces where young Catholics can explore their faith, ask hard questions, and build community. Programs like Theology on Tap or small-group Bible studies can foster a sense of belonging while addressing the spiritual hunger of the younger generation.
Accompaniment also means reaching out to those on the margins—those who feel excluded because of their life circumstances, beliefs, or identities. The Church must be a place where all are welcomed, not because we compromise the truth, but because we recognize that every person is made in the image of God and is on a unique journey toward Him. This requires pastoral sensitivity, as seen in initiatives like the Synod on Synodality, which has sought to listen to diverse voices within and beyond the Church.
A Vision for Implementation
To translate these pillars into action, I propose the following concrete steps for the Third Vatican Council to consider:
● Establish a Global Commission on Digital Evangelization: This commission would develop strategies for leveraging technology to spread the Gospel, including partnerships with Catholic content creators, training for clergy and laity in digital communication, and the creation of a centralized platform for Catholic resources in multiple languages.
● Invest in Lay Formation: Create a universal framework for lay catechesis and evangelization training, emphasizing practical skills for sharing faith in everyday life. This could include online courses, diocesan programs, and mentorship opportunities.
● Promote Synodality as a Model for Evangelization: Build on the Synod on Synodality by encouraging parishes to become hubs of listening and dialogue, where the faithful and seekers alike can explore faith in a supportive environment.
● Address Cultural and Regional Diversity: Develop evangelization strategies tailored to specific cultural and regional contexts, recognizing that the challenges in secular Europe differ from those in rapidly growing African churches or post-Christian societies in Asia.
● Foster Ecumenical and Interfaith Collaboration: In a pluralistic world, the Church must work alongside other Christian denominations and faith traditions to address common challenges, such as poverty and environmental degradation, thereby witnessing to the Gospel through action.
Conclusion: The Urgency of the Mission
Dear brothers and sisters, the task before us is daunting but not insurmountable. The Holy Spirit, who has guided the Church through every age, is with us now, calling us to proclaim the Gospel with boldness and love. The world is hungry for meaning, hope, and truth—hungers that only Christ can satisfy. By embracing authenticity, accessibility, and accompaniment, we can renew our evangelization efforts to meet the needs of this generation and beyond.
Let us take inspiration from the early Christians, who, in a hostile and pagan world, transformed hearts through their witness and love. Let us trust in the words of Christ: “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). And let us act with urgency, for the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Luke 10:2). May this Third Vatican Council be a turning point, igniting a new era of evangelization that brings the light of Christ to every corner of the earth.
Thank you, and may God bless our work.
This essay followed the prompt: You are a representative at the Third Vatican Council and have 1,500-2,500 words to explain an issue that you believe needs utmost attention in the Church today. What will you say to the Council Fathers?