[Commentary]25/04/08 Mission: Evangelization beyond proselytization

[성기화 요셉]

Conversion, if it happens, should be the fruit of witness, not persuasion

A file picture of a portrait of St. Mother Teresa at the Mother House in Kolkata, India. Saints like her are a shining few of many examples of lives devoted to Christ’s mission through selfless service. (Photo: AFP)

By Lavoisier Fernandes

Published: April 08, 2025 04:01 AM GMT

Updated: April 08, 2025 04:24 AM GMT

Christianity remains the world's largest religion, with over 2.4 billion followers and nearly 45,000 denominations.

The Pew Research Centre reports that in Asia, the Christian population has reached approximately 380 million, making up 12 percent of the region’s population.

This growth is most visible in countries like South Korea, the Philippines, parts of China, and India, where Christianity’s spread is mainly noticed. However, distinguishing between conversion growth and natural population increase remains a challenge.

Undermining Catholic mission

Catholic missionaries have left a profound and lasting imprint across Asia and Southeast Asia—not only by establishing churches but also by founding schools, hospitals, and social services that uplift marginalized communities.

Saints such as St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph Vaz, St. John de Britto, and St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata are just a few of the many examples of lives devoted to Christ’s mission through selfless service.

Beyond canonized saints, countless local missionaries—many of whom may never be formally recognized—have made significant and enduring contributions to the most vulnerable. They continue to embody the spirit of the Gospel through action, compassion, and sacrifice.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, evangelical and Pentecostal movements gained ground in Asia, with significant figures like Baptist missionary Graham Staines, who sacrificed his life to serve leprosy-affected tribes in Odisha, India.

These movements have also contributed significantly to the spread of Christianity, often through dedicated service and sacrifice.

While Catholic and Anglican missionaries are often recognized for their service, some newer groups—particularly within Pentecostal, Evangelical, and fundamentalist circles—have been criticized for aggressive proselytism.

These groups not only target non-Christians but also seek to "reclaim" Christians of other denominations.

In countries like Indonesia, such approaches led to the closure of over 1,000 churches between 2006 and 2010 due to concerns about proselytism and interfaith tensions.

In Singapore, the percentage of Evangelical and Pentecostal Christians grew from 2 percent in 1970 to 8 percent by 2015, raising concerns about proselytism fuelling religious tensions.

The rise of the “prosperity gospel," the idea that faith guarantees wealth and success, further complicates matters. Often exploiting the vulnerable, this movement promises blessings in exchange for financial contributions.

All these undermine the credibility of missionaries focused on social justice and disrupt interfaith dialogue, threatening political stability and deepening divisions among Christian communities.

Anti-conversion laws and Christian persecution

In response to aggressive proselytism by a few Christian groups, countries like India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan have implemented anti-conversion laws.

Such laws, along with blasphemy and apostasy laws, target Christian missionary work and fuel public suspicion of Christianity, contributing to increased persecution.

In 2022, Open Doors reported that 360 million Christians worldwide faced high levels of persecution, with a significant rise in Christian martyrdom.

The Catholic distinction

The Catholic Church clearly differentiates between evangelization and proselytism. While proselytism—from the Greek proser-chomai (to approach)—often involves coercion or exploitation, evangelization is rooted in love, truth, and freedom.

In 2019, Pope Francis made a powerful distinction between proselytism and evangelization during a visit to Mozambique, he shared his discomfort when a woman proudly presented two converts—one from Hinduism and the other from Anglicanism—like trophies. He clarified:

“Evangelization, yes; proselytism, no.” True conversion, he explained, is based on authentic witness, not coercion.

In Asia, proselytism is a complex and sensitive issue, deeply influenced by the region’s diverse religious, cultural, and political landscapes. Religion is central to identity, values, and community life in many Asian countries, making efforts to convert others potentially intrusive or disrespectful.

Several factors contribute to this sensitivity:

Historical context: Christianity is still seen as a foreign religion with missions often tied to colonial powers while leaving a legacy of suspicion and resentment, complicating relations between Christianity and indigenous cultures.

Socio-political influences: Rising religious nationalism in some countries makes conversion appear a threat to national identity, even when evangelism is well-intended.

Religious tensions and exclusivity claims: Christianity’s claim that Jesus Christ is the only Savior can be offensive in pluralistic societies, where proselytism can seem coercive and provoke misunderstandings.

The path ahead

To address these challenges, the Church must embody Christ’s message and lead the way through a more sensitive, inclusive, and dialogical approach:

Promote Evangelization is an act of love, rooted in Christian witness through example and service, inviting others to freely discover the truth through religious freedom. As St. Mother Teresa once said when asked about conversion: “Yes, I convert. I convert you to be a better Hindu, a better Muslim, a better Protestant, a better Catholic, a better Parsee, a better Sikh, or a better Buddhist. And after you have found God, you must do what God wants you to do.”

Encourage intra-Christian dialogue: True unity requires understanding, not competition.

The Church must foster conversations across denominations, avoiding aggressive proselyte language like "sinners," "condemned," "damned," "heathen," or "pagan" that condemns or divides. Shared mission and values should outweigh theological differences.

Promote interreligious dialogue: Interreligious dialogue is frequently misunderstood as a form of proselytization aimed at increasing conversions for salvation. Pope Benedict XVI clarified in 2012 that Interreligious dialogue complements evangelization—it does not replace or aim to convert. Its goal is mutual understanding, where both parties retain their identities but grow through shared pursuit of truth.

Pope Francis once quoted Pope Benedict XVI at  Aparecida and said: "The Church doesn't grow through proselytism but through attraction—the attraction of living an authentic witness."

In Asia’s rich cultural and religious tapestry, evangelization must focus on listening, learning, and living the Gospel humbly. Conversion, if it happens, should be the fruit of witness, not persuasion.

That, to me, is true evangelization. One that transforms hearts—not by force, but by love. And in this, the Catholic Church must lead the way.

*The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position of UCA News.