Pope Calls Politics a Big Part of Lay Vocation

zenit.org ^ | 2008-09-11 | N/A

[Publius804]

ZE08091106 - 2008-09-11

Pope Calls Politics a Big Part of Lay Vocation

Says Laity Need to Instill Christ in World

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 11, 2008 (Zenit.org).- A big part of the vocation of Christian laypeople is their participation in politics, says Benedict XVI.

The role of the laity in the temporal order, and especially in politics, is key for the evangelization of society, the Pope affirmed today when he received in audience the bishops of Paraguay. The prelates have been in Rome since Sept. 8 on their five-yearly visit.

Led by Bishop Ignacio Gogorza Izaguirre of Encarnacion,the president of the Paraguayan episcopal conference, the bishops met with the Holy Father this morning in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Benedict XVI explained that the specific vocation of the laity "consists in instilling the Christian spirit in the temporal order and transforming it according to the divine plan." He affirmed that "a significant aspect of their mission" is "the exercise of politics."

Hence, it is necessary "to encourage them to live this important dimension of social charity with responsibility and dedication," in order to promote "justice, honesty and the defense of true and authentic values, such as the safeguarding of human life, marriage and the family," he added. In this way, "they contribute to the real human and spiritual good of the whole society."

[frogjerk]

Translation:

Benedict XVI to US Bishops during election: "I'm watching you..."

[maryz]

lOL! We can only hope! :)

[Alex Murphy]

The role of the laity in the temporal order, and especially in politics, is key for the evangelization of society, the Pope affirmed today when he received in audience the bishops of Paraguay.

Ping for later

[Salvation]

And the Bishops are following the Pope's lead by speaking out against Pelosi, Biden, et al.

Updated: American Bishops who have spoken against Pelosi

Here is the complete list of American bishops who have responded to Nancy Pelosi's comments so far:

1. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver was the first American bishop to respond
2. ... Bishop James Conley, his auxiliary, joined him
3. Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington DC responded twice, first in a press release and second in a statement to The Hill. He has also appeared on Fox News, I am told.
4. Cardinal Justin Regali of Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued this statement through the USCCB website...
5. ... Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine, joined him
6. Cardinal Edward Egan of New York publised a strongly worded statement of his own
7. Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo issued a letter correcting Pelosi's claims
8. Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh and...
9. ... Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs have chimed-in
10. Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio, CNA reports has added his voice ...
11. ... Bishop Oscar Cantu, his auxiliary bishop, has joined him
12. Bishop William Murphy of Rockville has published an extensive letter
13. Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa has a detailed response
14. Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas has joined the USCCB's efforts
15. Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin is on-board
16. Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston mentions the USCCB on his blog
17. Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando has written at length
18. Archbishop John Nienstedt of Saint Paul/Minneapolis challenges Pelosi's statement
19. Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the US Bishops, has weighed-in
20. Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, OR publishes in the Catholic Sentinel
21. Bishop Jerome Listecki of La Crosse, WI responds in a word document
22. Bishop Richard Lennon of Cleveland, OH will comment in his September 5th column (PDF)
23. Bishop Ralph Nickless of Sioux City, IA has one of the very best responses I've read
24. Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco has invited Pelosi to a "conversation"
25. Bishop Glen Provost, LA: "Catholic Church clear on when human life begins"
26. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn: "Judging the Candidates"

{Last updated on September 10th.}

Notes:

• Previous #23 has been removed. Bishop Joseph Gossman of Raleigh, NC is actually the bishop emeritus, and the new bishop, Michael Burbidge has not, to my knowledge, made a personal statement.
• Previous #16 has also been removed, it was an erroneous duplication of current #13.
• #26 was added September 10th, although he published his column September 6th