2002

The year 2002 AD.

Events

• German Pentecostal minister Reinhard Bonnke conducts the largest known evangelistic crusade in history. Six million people attend his crusade in Lagos, Nigeria.
• The New Catholic Encyclopedia goes online and is available at some libraries.
• The mulitigenre crossover smash "I Can Only Imagine" by Contemporary Christian music group MercyMe wins several Dove Awards: Song of the Year, Contemporary/Pop Recorded Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year Award (for Bart Millard)
• Boston College president William P. Leahy, SJ, initiated the Church in the 21st Century program as a means of moving the Catholic Church "from crisis to renewal." The initiative provided the Society of Jesus with a platform for examining issues brought about by the worldwide Roman Catholic sex abuse cases, including the priesthood, celibacy, sexuality, women's roles, and the role of the laity.
• August 13 - American Catholic bishops issue a joint statement, "Reflections on Covenant and Mission," with leaders of Reform and Conservative Judaism, which affirms that Christians should not target Jews for conversion.