In a wide-ranging interview with host Raymond Arroyo on EWTN’s The World Over, Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, pushed back against the idea that the Catholic Church’s commitment to interreligious dialogue replaces its primary mission to preach the Gospel.
Addressing a new Vatican document commemorating the 60th anniversary of Vatican II’s Nostra Aetate — which discourages “defensive entrenchment” and single-minded proselytism — Bishop Barron clarified the distinction between aggressive pushiness and authentic Christian proclamation.
“In a way, I wish we would drop the word ‘proselytizing’ because it’s used now in so many different ways,” Bishop Barron said.
Recalling a conversation with Pope Francis during an ad limina visit, Bishop Barron noted that the Pope defined proselytism as “obnoxious evangelization” — a browbeating, overbearing approach.
While supporting respectful dialogue, Bishop Barron insisted that sharing the faith remains nonnegotiable.
“We are really good at stressing how kind, respectful and tolerant we should be.
That’s great, and I’m all in favor of it.
But we also announce Jesus in a friendly way, in a non-threatening way,” he said.
Expressing a desire for Church documents to place greater emphasis on proclamation, he added: “The Church is not a debating society.
We are here to proclaim a word in love.
It’s the truth in love.
But by God, it’s the truth, and I think that’s obviously worth emphasizing.” Advising the White House on Religious Freedom The Word on Fire founder also responded to critics questioning his involvement with the White House administration following his appointment to the U.S.
Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
Clarifying his position, Bishop Barron pushed back against claims that his participation represents a political endorsement.
“I’m not a member of the Trump administration!” he said.
“The president invited me to be around the table to discuss issues about religious liberty so that policy in that regard could be better formulated.
Why would I say No to that?” Comparing his role to that of legendary Notre Dame president Father Theodore Hesburgh — who served on numerous presidential commissions across multiple administrations — Bishop Barron noted: “If Joe Biden had invited me to be on a commission considering issues of religious liberty, I would have said, ‘Sure!’ .......
