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1. Divinely sent to the nations of the world to be unto them "a
universal sacrament of salvation," the Church, driven by the
inner necessity of her own catholicity, and obeying the mandate of her
Founder (cf. Mark 16:16), strives ever to proclaim the
Gospel to all men. The Apostles themselves, on whom the Church was
founded, following in the footsteps of Christ, "preached the word of
truth and begot churches." It is the duty of their successors
to make this task endure "so that the word of God may run and be
glorified (2 Thess. 3:1) and the kingdom of God be proclaimed
and established throughout the world.
In the present state of affairs, out of which there is arising a new
situation for mankind, the Church, being the salt of the earth and
the light of the world (cf. Matt. 5:13-14), is more
urgently called upon to save and renew every creature, that all things
may be restored in Christ and all men may constitute one family in Him
and one people of God.
Therefore, this sacred synod, while rendering thanks to God for the
excellent results that have been achieved through the whole Church's
great - hearted endeavor, desires to sketch the principles of
missionary activity and to rally the forces of all the faithful in order
that the people of God, marching along the narrow way of the Cross,
may spread everywhere the reign of Christ, Lord and overseer: of the
ages (cf. Ecc. 36:19), and may prepare the way for his
coming.
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