Last Thursday in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a remarkable address to a group of visiting American bishops. He praised America’s founders for their commitment to religious liberty and their belief that Judeo-Christian moral teachings are essential to shaping citizens and democratic institutions. The Holy Father warned that our heritage of religious freedom faces “grave threats” from the “radical secularism” of political and cultural opinion leaders who are “increasingly hostile to Christianity.” Read more…
I REALLY wish he hadn’t said: “And there is no evidence that birth control has any effect on women’s health;”
Very good point – I think he intended to question the logic that birth control is beneficial for women’s health, but he should have said beneficial as there is absolutely evidence it has adverse effects. Pop him an email! mediarelations@la-archdiocese.org
The Holy Father’s warning that religious freedom faces threats from secularism is the culture ever present to us. Our society desires all the freedoms and benefits that our country offers but frequently, lacks the thirst for the responsibility that comes with those religious freedoms.
As Catholics we are blessed with many rights in the Church, yet when it comes to the courage to counter the secularism, it seems that few want the responsibility to speak out with words and actions. A well educated laity is a must first step and that firmly engages the secular culture. The Holy Father is so correct when he says, “We need lay leaders to step up to their responsibilities for the Church’s mission.” In order to have and keep these lay leaders, the Church needs to not only contribute to their educational process, but then acknowledge those leaders as having a viable and visually present role within the Catholic community. This way they are able to tap the inner resources necessary for the courage to speak and be a future educational resource and train others to do the same.
You articulate here what is the core of the New Evangelization, the Vatican II revolution: not lay ecclesial ministers but secular saints who ‘do’ the secular world God’s way, in an informed, bold and coordinated manner that can really build a civilization of love on a culture of life. Kudos, Beads2 for being the the front lines!