Terrorism And Evangelization
By DONALD DeMARCO A great gap exists between “imposing” and “proposing.” The former operates through some form of physical or psychological pressure; the latter relies on enlightenment. Imposing does not take “no” for an answer; proposing accepts either “yes” or “no.” The Church, as Blessed John Paul II has reiterated, never “imposes,” but only “proposes.” The terrorist operates without patience or regard for the freedom of the other. The evangelist, by contrast, must be patient and careful not to interfere with the freedom of the other. The terrorist wants to conquer; the evangelist wants to convince.