EVANGELII GAUDIUM - page 89

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CHAPTER THREE
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
110. After having considered some of the chal-
lenges of the present, I would now like to speak
of the task which bears upon us in every age and
place, for “there can be no true evangelization
without the explicit proclamation of Jesus as
Lord”, and without “the primacy of the procla-
mation of Jesus Christ in all evangelizing work”.77
Acknowledging the concerns of the Asian bish-
ops, John Paul II told them that if the Church “is
to fulfil its providential destiny, evangelization as
the joyful, patient and progressive preaching of
the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
must be your absolute priority.”78 These words
hold true for all of us.
I. The entire people of god proclaims the
gospel
111. Evangelization is the task of the Church.
The Church, as the agent of evangelization, is
more than an organic and hierarchical institu-
tion; she is first and foremost a people advancing
on its pilgrim way towards God. She is certain-
ly a mystery rooted in the Trinity, yet she exists
concretely in history as a people of pilgrims
77 John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation
Ecclesia in Asia (6 November 1999), 19: AAS 92 (2000), 478.
78 Ibid, 2: AAS 92 (2000), 451.