Pope John Paul II seemed to be preoccupied with what he called the "new evangelization." This means leading to Christ the people of formerly Christian countries, such as the countries of western Europe, the USA, and Canada. This state of being a formerly Christian country or individual is worse than never having known Christ (see Lk 11:26). "When men have fled a polluted world by recognizing the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and then are caught up and overcome in pollution once more, their last condition is worse than their first. It would have been better for them not to have recognized the road to holiness than to have turned their backs on the holy law handed on to them, once they had known it" (2 Pt 2:20-21). This state is so bad because in it we have opened ourselves to seven other demons far worse than the demon that manipulated us before we knew Christ (Lk 11:26).

This means the "new evangelization" is humanly impossible (see Heb 6:4-6). However, nothing is impossible for the Lord (Lk 1:37). He is stronger than the strong man (Lk 11:21-22). He can save anyone, no matter how sinful (1 Tm 1:15-16).

We share in the miracle of the "new evangelization" by obeying the Lord. By praying and fasting in obedience to God's will, we will drive out the most tenacious demons (Mt 17:21, NAB) and bring down even the most ancient strongholds of the evil one (2 Cor 10:4). So, "proclaim a fast, call an assembly; gather the elders, all who dwell in the land, into the house of the Lord!" (Jl 1:14) Obey and re-possess the re-possessed.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Bishop-Elect, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 26, 2011 (for 10-1-2011 through 11-29-2011) and May 26, 2011 (for 11-30-2011)

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