Convert network supports Bishop Suetta, urging visible Christian identity and rejecting silence in mission to Muslims across Western societies.
Newsroom (08/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) An international network of converts from Islam to Catholicism has publicly endorsed a pastoral letter by Bishop Antonio Suetta, affirming that a visible and uncompromising Christian identity is essential for effective evangelization. The group, known as the St. Nicholas Tavelić Network (TavNet), also warned that silence about the Christian faith—often justified in the name of sensitivity—is ultimately incompatible with genuine charity.
A Mission “At Our Doorstep”
Founded in 2024, TavNet is dedicated to supporting converts from Islam who frequently face social isolation or persecution, often practicing their faith discreetly. Named after the 14th-century Franciscan martyr St. Nicholas Tavelić, the network spans multiple countries and aims to provide pastoral care and solidarity.
In comments shared with Catholic media, the network described Bishop Suetta’s pastoral letter, There Is No Greater Love, published on May 24, as both timely and encouraging. The document resonated strongly with TavNet’s experience of evangelization in Western societies.
Numair R., who leads TavNet’s British chapter, emphasized that many Catholics mistakenly assume missionary outreach to Muslims is confined to distant regions. “In reality,” he said, “the mission is right here, at our doorstep.” According to him, Western countries have become central spaces of encounter where evangelization must be carried out with both clarity and compassion.
He added that this mission aligns with earlier appeals by Pope Leo XIV, who encouraged respectful and charitable engagement. TavNet has made these principles foundational since its inception, combining firm witness with a commitment to personal dignity.
Christian Identity Versus Secular Confusion
A core theme of Bishop Suetta’s letter—and a point of strong agreement from TavNet—is the challenge posed by secularization. According to Numair, many Muslims arriving in Western countries interpret public immorality as a natural expression of Christianity itself. This misconception, he noted, often obscures the true nature of the faith.
It is only through encounters with committed and consistent Christians that many begin to distinguish between authentic Christianity and what TavNet members describe as its cultural distortion. Secularization, in this view, is not a fruit of Christian teaching but a departure from it.
Numair stressed that a coherent Christian identity is indispensable for evangelization. “Only through authentic evangelical encounters with faithful Catholics,” he explained, “can secularization be understood as a corruption of Christianity.” He pointed to his own journey of conversion as evidence of how personal witness can reshape deeply held assumptions.
Joseph L., head of TavNet’s French chapter, reinforced this perspective. Based on the network’s experience, he argued that converts are not seeking vague or overly cautious messages. Instead, they require “serious accompaniment, rigorous catechesis, the sacraments, and a Catholic home.”
He cautioned against reducing evangelization to either coercion or silence. “It should never be coercive,” he said, “but neither should it be silent.” For TavNet, clarity and conviction are inseparable from authentic respect.
From Reflection to Action
Bishop Suetta’s pastoral letter goes beyond theoretical reflection, outlining a concrete pastoral program to be implemented in the Diocese of Ventimiglia-San Remo. Beginning in the 2026–2027 pastoral year, the diocese will introduce a formation initiative coordinated by the Office of Catechetical Ministry, in collaboration with diocesan Caritas.
The program will formally launch during the missionary month of October, underscoring its evangelizing purpose. A key moment will take place on October 9, when Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, is scheduled to deliver a conference at the diocesan curia in Sanremo.
According to Bishop Suetta, the initiative emerged from grassroots concerns. A Caritas volunteer in Ventimiglia had raised a fundamental question: why does the Church often emphasize material assistance to migrants while remaining hesitant to speak explicitly about faith?
This question became a catalyst for deeper reflection on the Church’s mission in a context of growing religious diversity. Suetta’s letter situates this mission within a broader historical and theological framework, referencing the 1219 encounter between St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan—a moment often cited as a model of respectful yet courageous dialogue.
The pastoral letter also coincides with significant milestones in the Church’s engagement with other religions, including the Year of Saint Francis proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV and the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council declaration on interreligious relations.
Beyond Coexistence: A Search for Truth
While affirming the importance of peaceful coexistence, Bishop Suetta argues that interreligious dialogue must not end there. Its ultimate purpose, he writes, is the pursuit of truth—a goal that necessarily includes the proclamation of faith.
This position has found strong support among TavNet members, who view their own experiences as evidence that openness and clarity can coexist. For them, authentic dialogue does not require the dilution of Christian identity but rather its faithful expression.
Numair concluded by expressing gratitude for the bishop’s leadership and pledged ongoing support. “All our associates will pray,” he said, “for His Excellency, for the success of his pastoral plan, and for many other bishops to follow him.”
As migration continues to reshape religious landscapes across Europe and beyond, the conversation initiated by Bishop Suetta—and endorsed by networks such as TavNet—highlights a growing debate within the Church: how to balance dialogue, charity, and proclamation in a rapidly changing world.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Infocatholica
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