The relevance of Evangelii Nuntiandi: Light for Mission and Evangelization in the Contemporary World

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the relevance of the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, published by Paul VI in 1975, a foundational document for understanding the Church’s evangelizing mission in the contemporary world. First, the study examines the theological, ecclesial, and social context of the 1950s and 1960s, marked by post-war transformations, the Second Vatican Council, and the emergence of new pastoral and missionary expressions. It then explores the historical, theological, and social context of the 1970s and subsequent decades, highlighting the challenges and cultural changes that shaped the reception and implementation of Evangelii Nuntiandi. Finally, the article reflects on the document’s continuing relevance as a guiding light for mission and evangelization in today’s context, characterized by globalization, religious pluralism, and the search for new ways to proclaim the Gospel. The methodological approach combines bibliographic research and reality analysis in light of Practical Theology, enabling a critical and pastoral reading of the text in dialogue with contemporary challenges to evangelization.