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dia, rural areas are being affected by the same
cultural changes, which are significantly altering
their way of life as well.
74.âWhat is called for is an evangelization capa-
ble of shedding light on these new ways of relat-
ing to God, to others and to the world around us,
and inspiring essential values. It must reach the
places where new narratives and paradigms are
being formed, bringing the word of Jesus to the
inmost soul of our cities. Cities are multicultural;
in the larger cities, a connective network is found
in which groups of people share a common im-
agination and dreams about life, and new human
interactions arise, new cultures, invisible cities.
Various subcultures exist side by side, and often
practise segregation and violence. The Church is
called to be at the service of a difficult dialogue.
On the one hand, there are people who have the
means needed to develop their personal and fam-
ily lives, but there are also many ânon-citizensâ,
âhalf citizensâ and âurban remnantsâ. Cities
create a sort of permanent ambivalence because,
while they offer their residents countless possi-
bilities, they also present many people with any
number of obstacles to the full development of
their lives. This contrast causes painful suffering.
In many parts of the world, cities are the scene
of mass protests where thousands of people call
for freedom, a voice in public life, justice and a
variety of other demands which, if not properly
understood, will not be silenced by force.
