Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility. Americans know this from experience ”“ almost every town in this country has its monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, both at home and abroad. The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good and a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate. It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one’s deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate. In a word, freedom is ever new. It is a challenge held out to each generation, and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good (cf. Spe Salvi, 24). Few have understood this as clearly as the late Pope John Paul II. In reflecting on the spiritual victory of freedom over totalitarianism in his native Poland and in eastern Europe, he reminded us that history shows, time and again, that “in a world without truth, freedom loses its foundation”, and a democracy without values can lose its very soul (cf. Centesimus Annus, 46). Those prophetic words in some sense echo the conviction of President Washington, expressed in his Farewell Address, that religion and morality represent “indispensable supports” of political prosperity.
The Church, for her part, wishes to contribute to building a world ever more worthy of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26-27). She is convinced that faith sheds new light on all things, and that the Gospel reveals the noble vocation and sublime destiny of every man and woman (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 10). Faith also gives us the strength to respond to our high calling, and the hope that inspires us to work for an ever more just and fraternal society. Democracy can only flourish, as your founding fathers realized, when political leaders and those whom they represent are guided by truth and bring the wisdom born of firm moral principle to decisions affecting the life and future of the nation.
Looks like the Pope wants to give the President a high five:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Pope-Benedict-visits-US-President-Bush-Andrews-Air-Force-Base-Pope-Benedict-XVI/ss/events/wl/033002pope/s:/nm/20080416/us_nm/pope_usa_dc/im:/080416/photos_ts/2008_04_15t163058_450x330_us_pope_usa/;_ylt=AhzqQgVVmdBnTOj1q.YaaqkXIr0F
(Sorry I haven’t mastered the make-the-link-small technique.)
As a self-proclaimed preacher of the Gospel, when is he going to start preaching the Gospel, and telling his audience to repent and believe the good news?
“Truth” and “firm moral principle.” What happened to our truth and our moral principles? This does not sound like an intellectual to me.
#3,
Could you elaborate on your rather terse and (to me) opaque statement?
#1, Iranaeus
When all else fails, the try this:
http://tinyurl.com/
Just copy a long URL, then go to tinyurl,
paste it in, and it will shorten even the longest ones.
Blessings,
Gloria in SC
Is anyone watching the service at the Basilica? This is the best exposure 16th century polyphony has ever had! At least since the 16th century.
Before we get into an anti-Pope tizzy, may I remind you that the Pope is also a Head of State (the Vatican is an official Nation-State). He was speaking at the White House, with President Bush, as a Head of State. Give him a chance. His sermons will be given in a Church.
H
HowieG,
For some people it’s always too late to head off tizzies.
Perhaps mathman objects to his pastor ordering lunch before catechizing the waiter as well.
#2 – your comment offends me. It is petty, harsh and uncharitable. Pope Benedict has been a stirling defender of orthodox faith throughout the last few years. He preaches the truth boldly and with love at every possible opportunity. Why not get online and read his writings and homilies – noting the deep knowledge of faith he has- before shooting off an insult?
His visit to America has just begun. He speaks not to Christians but to a godless secular people and needs watch his words less they do not listen at all. He therefore begins softly, softly. I bet anything that by the time he leaves he will have said more to support the faith of Christ crucified than KJS has uttered in her entire time in office.
A preacher you may be- but next to his holiness I am afraid you and I are small fry. Let us pray for him in his work not make snide remarks.
Amen, #9. May God grand Pope Benedict a long papacy so that he can see through to completion his efforts to reform and renew the RC by calling it back to holiness through its grounding in Jesus Christ.
#2, how bout this?
[blockquote]In the exercise of my ministry as the Successor of Peter, I have come to America to confirm you, my brothers and sisters, in the faith of the Apostles (cf. Lk 22:32). I have come to proclaim anew, as Peter proclaimed on the day of Pentecost, that Jesus Christ is Lord and Messiah, risen from the dead, seated in glory at the right hand of the Father, and established as judge of the living and the dead (cf. Acts 2:14ff.). I have come to repeat the Apostle’s urgent call to conversion and the forgiveness of sins, and to implore from the Lord a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church in this country. As we have heard throughout this Easter season, the Church was born of the Spirit’s gift of repentance and faith in the risen Lord. In every age she is impelled by the same Spirit to bring to men and women of every race, language and people (cf. Rev 5:9) the good news of our reconciliation with God in Christ.[/blockquote]
(from the Mass at Nationals Stadium today)
#11
That’s about as good as one could ask for from anyone.
I wonder if our Presiding Bishop was listening today. It’s quite a contrast to what I’ve heard from her lips.
H
#4 It seems to me that many intellectuals reject any moral standards except for their own cause.