ZENIT: Why this emphasis on the “Kerygma”? What was the inspiration that the “Kerygma” is essential to preaching the Gospel?
Marc de Leyritz: Alpha was founded in England in an Anglican parish 30 years ago. Florence and I brought it back to France and we adapted it to a Catholic setting, which is a big challenge because when you’re in France, anything that comes from England is really a bad start. But, this distinction between Kerygma and catechesis is really something key, since the beginning of the Church, since the very first day. You see on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2, Peter gives a very short speech, the nucleus of the faith, which is what Kerygma means, the proclamation of the nucleus. And, he speaks probably one minute or two minutes, and the Bible says that listening to this, people’s hearts were pierced and they asked, “Brother, what shall we do?” And he said, “Repent,” and then they were baptized. And on that day, the first day of the Church, 3000 people were baptized. And only then, the nascent Church started to help people to grow into full disciples of Jesus Christ.
So, Pope John Paul [II], in a very foundational text called “Redemptoris Missio” which is an encyclical and in another post-Synodal exhortation called “Catechesi Tradendae”, he makes this distinction. He says you cannot give catechesis before Kerygma.
Thanks for posting this Kendall.
Marc and Florence are a beautiful couple who have done much in the new evangelization in France. Their description of Alpha as the “proclamation of the nucleus” is accurate. And their understanding that trying to catechize folks before evangelizing them is mostly futile is equally wise. Bishop Mike Byrne said precisely the same thing to me last week and the reason why he is promoting Alpha in the USA.
A wonderful glimpse into how the Lord is using Alpha in the Roman Catholic Church in Europe.
Tory