“And you also are witnesses” (Jn 15: 27). Enlivened by the gift of the Spirit, the Church has always been keenly aware of this duty and has faithfully proclaimed the Gospel message in every time and place. It has done so with respect for the dignity of peoples, of their culture, of their traditions. Indeed, it knows quite well that the divine message entrusted to the Church is not hostile to the deepest human aspirations; indeed, it was revealed by God to satisfy, beyond every expectation, the hunger and thirst of the human heart. For this very reason the Gospel must not be imposed but proposed, because it can only be effective if it is freely accepted and lovingly embraced.” John Paul II
June 10, 2000 – Pentecost Vigil Mass
