Boston cardinal emphasizes need for Catholics in politics, media

Last updated on: December 17, 2012 at 9:10 pm by CNA Daily News

Boston cardinal emphasizes need for Catholics in politics, media 2012-12-17T21:10:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Rome, Italy, Dec 17, 2012 / 02:10 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston says the Church needs more and better prepared Catholic politicians and journalists who can bring the faith into the public square.

"We need to be much more proactive to prepare our laity and help them understand what a crucial role they have in public life and in the media where they're forming public opinion and educating people through different means that have a great impact in society," Cardinal O'Malley told CNA on Dec. 13.

He added, “if we're going to evangelize the culture, we need to have evangelizers in those areas.”

During the last day of the Dec. 9-12 "Ecclesia in America" congress at the Vatican, Cardinal O’Malley said he believes things are “only going to get worse because Catholics themselves don't worry about defending the unborn or teaching the true meaning of life.”

"There are just not enough legislators who favor life," he said.

The cardinal stated that the Church needs to do a better job of catechizing young people and help them see work in these fields as vocations, as a mission to embrace.

He also appealed for more spiritual retreats, seminars and continuous formation to better involve media and politicians in community life.

The cardinal mentioned the late Colombian Cardinal López Trujillo as an example to follow, since he brought pro-life politicians from the Americas together when he was in charge of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

"It was an opportunity for them to have ongoing formation in social teachings of the Church and to feel each other's support in their faith and vocation," Cardinal O’Malley recalled.

The communal dimension of formation is something that Cardinal O’Malley also highlighted, saying, "we need to give our young people more enthusiasm because the Church's vision is much more communitarian than our individualistic secular society."

In the media realm, Cardinal O’Malley said that Catholic media can also be a bridge to open relations with people in the secular media because “they speak the same language.”

He also offered his reflections on how the recent conference was able to apply the vision of the Synod for the Americas, which met in 1997.

"I was very pleased to see the enthusiasm and the wonderful spirit of fraternity there," Cardinal O'Malley remarked.

"We're all trying to evangelize the continent together so we need to be in partnership, particularly with the fluid population we have with immigration," he added.

"We also have a lot to offer to other countries in terms of the screening and the lessons learnt," he said in reference to the numerous sex abuse cases he has dealt with in three of the four dioceses he has served in.

"Obviously you need to do everything possible to prevent this from happening, but you also need to know how to respond correctly otherwise many people could be hurt," he said.

The cardinal also called on bishops to use World Youth Day as an opportunity to meet again to discuss common problems.

"Sometimes bishops tend to go with their language groups and become isolated, although we share in the celebration and liturgies, so I think we can be more proactive, and music and celebration can overcome this barrier," he said.

Previous Post

December 17, 2012

Palestinian president thanks Pope for his support

Next Post

December 17, 2012 Mexican cardinal warns of immigrants forced to transport drugs

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which book of the Bible has the longest chapter?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Isaiah Genesis Psalms Jeremiah