Pope visits Roman parish, distinguishes witness from proselytism
‘In response to another question, the Pope distinguished proselytism from witness. The former, which he cautioned against, consists in saying to a nonbeliever, “You must believe this, because, because, because,” and “explaining all things.” Instead, he said, Christians should witness with their lives, and when nonbelievers—prompted by the Holy Spirit—ask questions, at that point Christians should offer explanations.’
Pope Francis continues to display his erroneous ideas against helping others to Christ’s teaching and His Church.
Of course one doesn’t wait for questions – the real Catholic answers false statements made against Christ or His Church’s teaching which are so prevalent today – he doesn’t evade them as Pope Francis seems to want. It is just this sort of false silence that allows error to grow and to subverse the unwary.
Wise proselytism answers the attacks and objections which are so prevalent today, rather than allowing grave error to prevail without answer.
It is vital to follow the command to judge all actions, speech, writing against truth and in this way we can help others by offering truth. Christ and His Church’s Scriptures tell us:
"Stop judging by appearances, but judge justly." (Jn 7:24).
"Test everything: retain what is good." (1Thess 5:21).
"The spiritual person, however, can judge everything but is not subject to judgement by anyone." (1 Cor 2:15).
"I, for my part, although absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as if present, pronounced judgement on the one who has committed this deed..." (1 Cor 5:3; read 1-13).
"I am speaking as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I am saying." (1 Cor 10:15).
"Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 Jn 4:1).
"I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth." (Rev 3:16).
The correction should be with the intention of helping others to see right from wrong and truth from falsehood and so assisting in the path to virtue.
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