agrogersMore information about the speech made to a group of High School students here: https://disrn.com/news/pope-says-christians-should-never-try-to-convert-unbelievers-anyone-who-proselytizes-is-not-a-disciple-of-jesus
Here are some amazingly shocking quotes from the Pope about evangelism.
[Speaking of having Jewish and Muslim friends]: “We are all the same, all children of God.”
“It didn’t occur to me, and it doesn’t have to be like, saying to a boy or a girl: ‘You are Jewish, you are Muslim: come, be converted!'”
“We are not in the times of the crusades.”
“In front of an unbeliever the last thing I have to do is try to convince him. Never.”
“But listen: Never, never bring the gospel by proselytizing.”
“If someone says they are a disciple of Jesus and comes to you with proselytism, they are not a disciple of Jesus.”
“The Church does not grow by proselytism.”
Jesus and Paul said something very different with particular reference to the Pope’s doctrinal position:
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
2 Timothy 4:1-5 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
