Pope Exhorts Americans to Resist Secularism

Pope Benedict Shares Sober Remarks on American Culture with Local Bishops and Issues a Call to the Laity

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

On January 19,  Pope Benedict addressed bishops from the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, and the Virgin Islands. These U.S. bishops were in Rome for their periodic “ad limina” visits, which included meetings with the pope and Vatican officials, covering a wide range of pastoral matters.

His words provide some sober reflection for us. As is usually the case, I would like to provide excerpts of the Pope’s remarks from a CNS News Article and then present my own comments in red.

Pope Benedict XVI warned visiting U.S. bishops that “radical secularism” threatens the core values of American culture, and he called on the church in America, including politicians and other laypeople, to render “public moral witness” on crucial social issues.

This will call for greater courage and hard work than is evident in many clergy and laity in the Church today. Too often the instinct is to play it safe. And when we are outspoken it is only in the safety of like-minded family and friends. Public moral witness must begin with clergy but it cannot end there. Also public moral witness requires a deep commitment in terms of time and even money.

Increasingly for clergy, the pulpit cannot be a place for abstractions and generalities like “do good, avoid evil.” We have to speak clearly to the issues of our day and be willing to name them. Clear assessments like sin, mortal sin, hell, judgment, right, wrong, good, and evil, must once again find a place in our homilies. Further, we must name issues clearly, abortion, homosexual acts, fornication, contraception, neglect of the poor, greed, corruption and so forth. Ambiguity must give way to clarity. But clarity must also reflect charity. We are to speak the truth in love.

Parents too and every level of the laity must give clear moral witness to their children. Parents must be willing to raise and discipline their children and instruct them clearly in the faith and moral life. It is not enough to say what is taught, but good teaching must also address why. This takes courage and the sacrifice of time.

Catholics in general must be far more willing to enter the public square without apology or fear, and be willing to speak the truth in love. In so doing we must be willing to accept that we will be misquoted, misunderstood and ridiculed. We must accept that we will get it with both barrels and learn that, just because people are angry with us, does not mean we did anything wrong.

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Archbishop Dolan and Obama at odds with Mandate

Dolan: Obama says he's not anti-religious, but he's getting harder to believe

Published February 14, 2012

| Associated Press

• The top U.S. Catholic bishop vowed legislative and court challenges Tuesday to a compromise by President Barack Obama to his healthcare mandate that now exempts religiously affiliated institutions from paying directly for birth control for their workers, instead making insurance companies responsible.

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, who heads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in an interview with The Associated Press that he trusted Obama wasn't anti-religious and intended to make good on his pledge to work with religious groups to fine-tune the mandate. 

"I want to take him at his word," Dolan said in Rome, where he will be made a cardinal Saturday. But he stressed: "I do have to say it's getting harder and harder," to believe Obama's claim to prioritize religious freedom issues given the latest controversy.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/14/dolan-obama-says-hes-not-anti-religious-but-hes-getting-harder-to-believe/#ixzz1mTozN9EG

What have you done for Your Marriage?

The "For Your Marriage" website offers practical help and advice whether you're seriously dating, engaged, or at any stage of married life. If you're planning a Catholic wedding, you'll find information on everything from choosing the music and readings to marrying someone who is not Catholic. On the homepage check out the Daily Marriage Tips, book reviews, and blogs.

Marriage: Unique for a Reason

What is marriage? Are a man and a woman really essential to marriage? What about the child … and the role of mothers and fathers? Is it discriminatory to defend marriage as the union of one man and one woman? What impact does the redefinition of marriage have on religious liberty?
These are just a few of the many questions about marriage today. They all hinge upon the first question: What is marriage? When the answer to this question is understood, everything else falls into its proper place.
Marriage is unique for a reason. We invite you now to find out why:

http://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/

Archbishop Dolan Speaks out about Mandate

(CBS News) 
UPDATED 10:05 a.m. ET
The head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Thursday urged President Obama to reverse his administration's decision requiring all employers to provide birth control as part of their health plans. There is an exemption for churches and other houses of worship, but the rule includes hospitals and schools affiliated with religious organizations.

"This was a terribly misguided judgement," Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York said in an interview on "CBS This Morning."

Dolan, who is set to become a cardinal later this month, said he met with Obama in the Oval Office late last year and was promised the White House would work with the Catholic church on a number of issues, including education, healthcare and charitable work.

"I am hoping that this massive negative reaction to this ruling, I am hoping that he will go back to those assurances that he gave me," Dolan said.
Dolan said Mr. Obama called him on January 20 to inform him of his decision.

"I expressed to him sincerely my disappointment and my disapproval," Dolan said.

Watch the Interview Here

National Marriage Week

NATIONAL MARRIAGE WEEK: FEBRUARY 7-14, 2012.
Celebrate God's gift of marriage.  Find resources on the National Marriage Week website. . and on the three special marriage websites created by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at the links on the right. More information on these sites is below. On the USCCB Facebook pages this week, you and your spouse can join in a "Virtual Marriage Retreat" and participate in our "Marriage Tips" competition.

Bishops Condemn Court-Ruling on Same Sex Marriage

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, denounced Tuesday’s decision of a federal court rejecting the constitutionality of Proposition 8, a voter-approved initiative in California that recognizes marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Proposition 8 was approved by California voters in 2008, and reversed a court decision to legalize same-sex marriage. The decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the August 4, 2010 decision of a federal district judge who had ruled Proposition 8 unconstitutional.

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan called the decision a grave injustice, and said it ignored the reality that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.

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