Knowing God: is it possible?

This Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization is organizing an International Meeting around the theme Knowing God: it is possible? Ways for a New Evangelization. This initiative, aimed at those involved in the New Evangelization across Academic Institutions, Movements and Associations, will take place from September 19 to 21, 2019, in the New Synod Hall within Vatican City State.

Our intention is to offer a space for reflection and formation to the various organizations which are dedicated in a particular way to the New Evangelization. We hope to examine not only to the current faith crisis of the West, but also the need to identify viable paths for evangelization, focusing above all on the urgency of re-establishing the conditions of possibility of belief.

Embracing the teachings of the recent Pontiffs regarding the necessity of a renewed effort in the proclamation of the faith, moreover, we wish to inquire into the ways that can render possible a personal encounter with God in an age in which the very sense of God appears to be hidden and a certain indifference regarding the question of faith has emerged.

Knowing God: is it possible?

Ways for a New Evangelization

International Meeting
for Academic Centers, Movements and
Associations for the New Evangelization

19 – 21 September 2019

The New Synod Hall

Vatican City

Thursday, 19 September

The search for God, atheism, and the desire for faith

15:00: Prayer

15:15: Introduction: H. E. Most Rev. Rino Fisichella, President of the PCPNE

God the real problem of man

16:00: Talk by Mr. Antonio Polito, journalist

God and the meaning of life

16:45: Break

17:15: Talk by Prof. Jürgen Werbick, theologian

Is there a way out of atheism?

18:00: Conclusion

Friday, 20 September

Religious indifference and the longing for God

9:00: Talk by Dr. Leah Libresco, researcher

Encountering God in Scientific Research?

9:45: Talk by Rev. Prof. Cesare Pagazzi, theologian

Awakening a longing for God

10:30: Break

11:00 Talk by Msgr. Prof. Luis Augusto Campos Flórez, philosopher

The Phenomenon of Religious Indifference: Causes and Responses

12:00: Workshop: Atheism and religious indifference: challenges or opportunities for the New Evangelization?

13:00: Break

Creating a culture of encounter

15:00: Talk by Prof. Vittorino Andreoli, psychiatrist

The value of the encounter

15:45: Talk by Dr. Timo Aytaç Güzelmansur, theologian

Evangelizing in a multicultural society

16:30: Break

17:00: Talk by Mr. Juan Manuel Cotelo, film director  

Encountering God today

17:45: Workshop: How to render God ‘more appealing’

Saturday, 21 September

Is conversion possible today?

8:30: Holy Mass (Altar of the Cathedra – Saint Peter’s Basilica)

9:30: Testimony by Prof. Paul Williams, philosopher

From unbelief to the faith

10:15: “Musical catechesis”

Audience with the Holy Father