From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Participation in Christ’s prophetic office
904 “Christ . . . fulfills this prophetic office, not only by the hierarchy . . . but also by the laity. He accordingly both establishes them as witnesses and provides them with the sense of the faith [sensus fidei] and the grace of the word”438
To teach in order to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and of each believer.439
905 Lay people also fulfill their prophetic mission by evangelization, “that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the testimony of life.” For lay people, “this evangelization . . . acquires a specific property and peculiar efficacy because it is accomplished in the ordinary circumstances of the world.”440
This witness of life, however, is not the sole element in the apostolate; the true apostle is on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers . . . or to the faithful.441
906 Lay people who are capable and trained may also collaborate in catechetical formation, in teaching the sacred sciences, and in use of the communications media.442
907 “In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess, [lay people] have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons.”443
438 LG 35.
439 St. Thomas Aquinas, STh. III,71,4 ad 3.
440 LG 35 � 1, � 2.
441 AA 6 � 3; cf. AG 15.
442 Cf. CIC, cann. 229; 774; 776; 780; 823 � 1.
443 CIC, can. 212 � 3.
I suppose, as a faithful Catholic Christian who blogs, the above could serve as my misson statement.
It is my intention to “teach in order to lead others to faith” by being always “on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers . . . or to the faithful” through the “use of the communications media”. I also act knowing that I “have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors [my] opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and [I] have a right to make [my] opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward [my and their] pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons.”
In some sense, then, my mission makes me an evangelical. That’s the only way I can justify my presence in the Church Directory, an Evangelical blogroll.
“As the blogosphere matures it�s influence will continue to expand. It will continue to shape ideas, set political agendas, and shape culture. Christians who believe that a Biblical worldview has something important to add to the conversation cannot afford to ignore this medium. But that is what much of the church will likely do � at least until the blogosphere begins to have the same impact on society as the universities or the film industry. Then we will be rolling out the trebuchets for another cultural war siege.”
“But evangelicals are already within the walls. By simply coordinating our efforts we can soon become a force that won�t be easily ignored. To do so, however, we must set aside both envy and false piety. We must set aside petty jealousy when someone else�s blog has more links or gets more traffic. And we must also reject the simplistic notion that we should not strive to gain recognition for our blogging efforts. Our work should be pursued with godly ambition, helping others as we form a genuine community.”
“To be successful in this effort will require that we band together and help others whether their blogs are more popular or completely unknown. We need to link to and visit each other�s blogs, provide encouragement, and praise excellence and quality wherever it is found. Evangelicals can have a profound impact on society and culture. But first we must ‘buy a ticket [out of the Evangelical ghetto].'”
I am honored to have made the list and I hope that through it I can be help to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the blogosphere.