Initiatives of the former Committee on Evangelization
Between 1977 and 1997 the Ad-hoc Committee and the Standing Committee were located in the Secretariat for the American Board of Catholic Missions. In 1997, the secretariat was renamed, Secretariat for Evangelization and Missions. In 1999, the committee moved into a separate Office for Evangelization. In 2000, the office became a full-standing Secretariat for Evangelization.
In November 1992, the General Assembly of bishops approved Go and Make Disciples, A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States.
In November 1998, the BCEV approved the release of A Time to Listen, A Time to Heal, A Resource Directory for Reaching Out to Inactive Catholics.
In October 2000, the BCEV completed its lead role with four other committees in the evaluation of the implementation of the RCIA and issued Journey to the Fullness of Life, A Report on the Implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in the United States. Other collaborating committees included: Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Education, Liturgy and Pastoral Practices.
In November 2000, the BCEV hosted its first biennial Convocation, Celebrating Faith and Mission in Jesus Christ, for Diocesan Evangelization Coordinators in Jacksonville, FL.
In November 2000, the BCEV established the United States Commission on Catholic Evangelization and its three committees: Diocesan Evangelization Ministries, Intercultural Ministries and National Catholic Organizations.
In September 2002, The BCEV hosted its second biennial Convocation, Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Go and Make Disciples, for Diocesan Evangelization Coordinators and members of the US. Commission on Catholic Evangelization in Danville, CA
In July 2003, the BCEV co-sponsored the first North American Institute for Catholic Evangelization in Portland, OR, Ministry through the Lens of Evangelization. Other sponsors included the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, the University of Portland and the Metropolitan Province of Vancouver, BC. Ministry through the Lens of Evangelization, a USCCB publication is available as a resource of the BCEV and contains the major presentations and reflection questions.
In February 2004, the BCEV sponsored its third biennial Convocation, Catholic Evangelization in an Ecumenical and Interreligious Society, for Diocesan Evangelization Coordinators and members of the U.S. Commission on Catholic Evangelization in Louisville, KY. The Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs collaborated on this convocation and diocesan ecumenical directors were also invited to participate. Catholic Evangelization in an Ecumenical and Interreligious Society, a USCCB publication is available as a resource of the BCEV and contains the major presentations of the convocation.
In July 2006, the BCEV will sponsor its second North American Institute for Catholic Evangelization. Other sponsors are the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and Xavier University. The theme will be Celebrating the Richness of Diversity Among God’s People.