For Christians, the time of testing is here, and we need strong leadership

[quiet52]

Weigel: For Christians, the time of testing is here, and we need strong leadership
lifesitenews.com/news/weigel-for-christians-the-time-of-testing-is-here-and-we-need-strong-leader?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=e5c71b7fae-LifeSiteNews_com_US_Headlines_06_10_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0caba610ac-e5c71b7fae-326231002
Asked where the world is going given the demographic collapse in the West, the rise of militant Islam and hostility to Christianity, Weigel said, “This is a very challenging period in world history for people of orthodox Christian conviction.” While he noted that it would be “very false to paint a completely bleak picture,” he said “It seems to me that the gravest deficit in the Western world today, and I mean both politically and ecclesiastically, is leadership.”

“We desperately need leaders of conviction, of conscience, people who can explain the way things are, and how reality has to shape public policy,” he explained. “I think Pope Francis is going to be one of those leaders. I wish there were more of them politically throughout the Western world.”

So my questions to Catholics who consider themselves orthodox in faith are:

• How are you defending and strengthening what Catholics believe about the right to life issues, marriage, and religious liberty, to counter our increasingly secularist and atheistic culture?
• Are you and your families well-informed on the issues? If not, why not? If so, why and how?
• Do you think it is your “job” as a Catholic to help to sway our government leaders to do what is right? Do you bring the faith to the “public square”? If so, how?
• How are you encouraging our clergy to teach on these issues?
• How do you think we lay people can become better leaders to promote pro-life, pro-marriage, and pro-religious liberty issues?
• Or, to you, is being a “traditional Catholic” only about worship? (I don’t mean to offend anyone by this last question – I have been told “yes” face to face by Catholics I know that this is what they believe)

 

[edwest2]

In forums like these, we can answer with Church teaching, all the questions brought up. Some of us may be called to be leaders, ourselves. I suggest looking at your spiritual gifts and seeing if God is calling you to do something. That can include the political and legal areas. Getting the word out is very important. It’s been shown that among people who attend Mass regularly, they are more likely to accept what the Church teaches.

We need a central resource, as the laity, to go to. This can be one. The mass media is 24/7 while Church is one hour a week. Throw in some other services and Holy Days of Obligation, and the world is just yelling and yelling. Up is down. Right is wrong. Who cares? And so on.

If we are to be the salt of the earth, we must be part of a spiritual renewal within ourselves and in service to others. The call to act must be made clear.

biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-8.htm

Peace,
Ed

 

[Nimzovik]

The Christmas tree will indeed be shaken. The ornaments will fall off, but the tree will remain.

 

[bcuster]

We need to strengthen ourselves through the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. We need to pray regularly, leaning heavily on Scripture and Devotion to Mary in whatever form that fits your spirituality best.

 

[qui_est_ce]

Weigel: For Christians, the time of testing is here, and we need strong leadership
lifesitenews.com/news/weigel-for-christians-the-time-of-testing-is-here-and-we-need-strong-leader?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=e5c71b7fae-LifeSiteNews_com_US_Headlines_06_10_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0caba610ac-e5c71b7fae-326231002
Asked where the world is going given the demographic collapse in the West, the rise of militant Islam and hostility to Christianity, Weigel said, “This is a very challenging period in world history for people of orthodox Christian conviction.” While he noted that it would be “very false to paint a completely bleak picture,” he said “It seems to me that the gravest deficit in the Western world today, and I mean both politically and ecclesiastically, is leadership.”

“We desperately need leaders of conviction, of conscience, people who can explain the way things are, and how reality has to shape public policy,” he explained. “I think Pope Francis is going to be one of those leaders. I wish there were more of them politically throughout the Western world.”

So my questions to Catholics who consider themselves orthodox in faith are:

• How are you defending and strengthening what Catholics believe about the right to life issues, marriage, and religious liberty, to counter our increasingly secularist and atheistic culture?
• Are you and your families well-informed on the issues? If not, why not? If so, why and how?
• Do you think it is your “job” as a Catholic to help to sway our government leaders to do what is right? Do you bring the faith to the “public square”? If so, how?
• How are you encouraging our clergy to teach on these issues?
• How do you think we lay people can become better leaders to promote pro-life, pro-marriage, and pro-religious liberty issues?
• Or, to you, is being a “traditional Catholic” only about worship? (I don’t mean to offend anyone by this last question – I have been told “yes” face to face by Catholics I know that this is what they believe)

In my family (sibs, nieces, nephews, in-laws, etc.) we are not allowed to talk about religion or politics.

With my adult children, we do discuss.

I don’t know what else to do. My sister-in-law has a gay “married” nephew. She, although Catholic, thinks there is nothing wrong with it. We get together about once a week. The best I can do is model that I am not a homophobe.