His Eminence's English is admittedly not great, which is why this might seem ambiguous, but I think the point he was trying to make was that it's not good to try to develop relationships and friendships with the exclusive interest of converting the other person.
His Eminence's English is admittedly not great, which is why this might seem ambiguous, but I think the point he was trying to make was that it's not good to try to develop relationships and friendships with the exclusive interest of converting the other person.
Evangelization indeed is. However, to be exclusively interested in a person for the purpose of conversion is proselytizing. It lacks love and cannot by definition be charitable.
That's not proselytizing. If we truly care about the eternal salvation of someone's soul, we should be primarily focused on their conversion (NB: primary, not exclusive). Of course, it's not us who converts the person; ultimately, it's the Holy Spirit that does. Nevertheless, we must always be willing to let the Holy Spirit work through us to help bring someone to the truth.
What I described is indeed proselytizing, as I deliberately used the word exclusively. This is also the word that Edgar used. I think at this point we’re all saying the same thing. Evangelization is an act of charity - proselytizing is not and the cardinal seems to be opposed to the latter. He supports forming loving relationships with people and is opposed to the objectification of individuals which comes from viewing them exclusively as potential converts. At least that’s what I gathered.
I reject your definition of proselytizing. Moreover, how am I objectifying someone if I view them, first and foremost, as someone in need of conversion? Weird take.
His Eminence's English is admittedly not great, which is why this might seem ambiguous, but I think the point he was trying to make was that it's not good to try to develop relationships and friendships with the exclusive interest of converting the other person.
Well, I simply disagree. Evangelization is, at its core, an act of charity.
Evangelization indeed is. However, to be exclusively interested in a person for the purpose of conversion is proselytizing. It lacks love and cannot by definition be charitable.
That's not proselytizing. If we truly care about the eternal salvation of someone's soul, we should be primarily focused on their conversion (NB: primary, not exclusive). Of course, it's not us who converts the person; ultimately, it's the Holy Spirit that does. Nevertheless, we must always be willing to let the Holy Spirit work through us to help bring someone to the truth.
What I described is indeed proselytizing, as I deliberately used the word exclusively. This is also the word that Edgar used. I think at this point we’re all saying the same thing. Evangelization is an act of charity - proselytizing is not and the cardinal seems to be opposed to the latter. He supports forming loving relationships with people and is opposed to the objectification of individuals which comes from viewing them exclusively as potential converts. At least that’s what I gathered.
I reject your definition of proselytizing. Moreover, how am I objectifying someone if I view them, first and foremost, as someone in need of conversion? Weird take.