Cardinal Dolan To US Bishops: We Cannot Engage Culture Unless We Let Him First Engage Us

By Cardinal Timothy Dolan
11/12/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

If we want the New Evangelization to work, it starts on our knees.

"With all the controversies and urgent matters for the Church, Dolan spoke of conversion of heart through the Sacrament of Penance. Can you believe it?" To which I reply, "You better believe it!" First things first!

Cardinal Dolan prays in the Holy Land

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

BALTIMORE, MD (Catholic Online) - We present the full text of the first address given by Cardinal Timothy Dolan to the US Bishops who are gathered in Baltimore, Maryland, this week. The adress was given on Monday, November 12, 2012

*****

My brother bishops,

Yes, we have "a lot on our plate" as we commence our meeting, urgent issues very worthy of our solicitude as pastors -- the suffering in vast areas not far from here caused by the Hurricane of two weeks ago, the imperative to the New Evangelization, the invitation offered by the Year of Faith, and our continued dialogue, engagement, and prophetic challenge to our culture over urgent issues such as the protection of human life, the defense of marriage, the promotion of human dignity in the lives of the poor, the immigrant, those in danger from war and persecution throughout the world, and our continued efforts to defend our first and most cherished freedom -- all issues calling for our renewed and enthusiastic commitment.

But I stand before you this morning to say simply: first things first. We gather as disciples of, as friends of, as believers in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, "the Way, the Truth and the Life," who exhorted us to "seek first the Kingdom of God." We cannot engage culture unless we let Him first engage us; we cannot dialogue with others unless we first dialogue with Him; we cannot challenge unless we first let Him challenge us. The Venerable Servant of God, Fulton J. Sheen, once commented, "The first word of Jesus in the Gospel was 'come'; the last word of Jesus was 'go'."

Fifty years ago, on October 11, 1962, Blessed John XXIII courageously convened the Second Vatican Council "the greatest concern of which," he insisted, "is that the sacred deposit of Christian doctrine should be guarded and taught more efficaciously." (Allocution on the occasion of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, Gaudet mater ecclesia). We gather for our plenary assembly in our nation's premiere see, at the close of the XIII Ordinary General Synod of Bishops, still near the beginning of the Year of Faith. Both occasions have the same origin, the same goal expressed by Blessed John XXIII: the effective transmission of the faith for the transformation of the world.

A year ago we began our visits ad limina Petri et Pauli. I know you join me in expressing deep gratitude for the extraordinary affection, warmth and fraternal care with which our Holy Father welcomed us.But Pope Benedict did not stop with his gracious hospitality. No. He also gave us plenty of fatherly advice -- for our ministry as pastors of the Church and our personal role in the New Evangelization.Here's an especially striking example from his first ad limina address:

"Evangelization," the Successor of St. Peter noted, ". . . appears not simply a task to be undertaken ad extra; we ourselves are the first to need re-evangelization. As with all spiritual crises, whether of individuals or communities, we know that the ultimate answer can only be born of a searching, critical and ongoing self-assessment and conversion in the light of Christ's truth."

As we bishops at the just concluded Synod of Bishops confessed in our closing message: "We, however, should never think that the new evangelization does not concern us as Bishops personally. In these days voices among the Bishops were raised to recall that the Church must first of all heed the Word before she can evangelize the world. The invitation to evangelize becomes a call to conversion."

"We Bishops firmly believe that we must convert ourselves first to the power of Jesus Christ who alone can make all things new, above all our poor existence. With humility we must recognize that the poverty and weaknesses of Jesus' disciples, especially us, his ministers, weigh on the credibility of the mission. We are certainly aware - we bishops first of all - that we can never really be equal to the Lord's calling and mandate to proclaim His Gospel to the nations. We. do not hesitate to recognize our personal sins. We are, however, also convinced that the Lord's Spirit is capable of renewing His Church and rendering her garment resplendent if we let Him mold us." (Final Message of the Synod of Bishops to the People of God, October 28, 2012)

The New Evangelization reminds us that the very agents of evangelization - you and me -- will never achieve that abundant harvest Blessed John XXIII described unless we are willing and eager to first be evangelized themselves. Only those themselves first evangelized can then evangelize. As St. Bernard put it so well, "If you want to be a channel, you must first be a reservoir."

I would suggest this morning that this reservoir of our lives and ministry, when it comes especially to the New Evangelization, must first be filled with the spirit of interior conversion born of our own renewal. That's the way we ...

1 | 2 | 3 Next Page

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 8 of 8 Comments

Robert
6 months ago
Dear Spiritus Gladius..

Amen brother, Amen!!!

Now if we can only the Bishops will read your comment. Eight days ago this cradle Catholic was for the first time in my life embarrased to be Catholic. Liberals voted 51% in favor of the most prominent pro-abortion, gay marriage, debt enhancing president of my lifetime. Worse yet, the USCCB front page article was entitled, "Catholics care Catholics voted!" . The article should have been entitled, "Catholics voted and the Bishops are ashamed in their inability to help form consciences based on the teachings of our faith".

If I hear one more homily on SOCIAL JUSTICE I may become ill during the Mass.

Which Bishop is going to explain to the unborn that they just weren't part of the SOCIAL JUSTICE argument? This is very evident with the Bishops asking for donations this Sunday for the CCHD. The same fund that gives away $.24 of every dollar to pro abortion, gay marriage, homosexual right, contraceptive, activist around the world. The same fund that 37% of the organizations promote causes directly against the teachings of our Catholic faith.

Please check out http/: reformcchdnow.com or all.org or churchmilitanttv.com

God Bless You and Be a Warrior for Christ!
Paul-Emile Leray
6 months ago
I am not saying I agree with you, Spiritus Gladius, but you do make some interesting points.

Some Churches have become partial circuses. And this is not being judgmental, it is simply observing and seeing reality as it is. Emoting, opinionated, pontificating clowns who practically try controlling and shoving their views down our throats (that are in opposition to what they hear from the priests) exist right on Church grounds. Then, there are the alcoholics stretched out sleeping on the pews after Mass. And those who recently had some sort of sex change, since a few years ago one was male and now he is showing up in a skirt with some obvious changes that took place based on some curves and bumps here and there observable in his attire. Plus, a full out purse and make-up. Then, there are those with the loud sunglasses at Church. Perhaps some are afraid The Holy Spirit will offer them such light all at once, that preparatory measures are taken beforehand resulting in loud black sunglasses being worn during the Mass? Why not use some number 14 welding lens instead of glasses? Let us be prepared. Then, there are the signs on the front doors requesting that people dress properly. Then, the cell phones and at times full out conversations right inside the Church. It seems like a smorg bazaar to attract everyone and anyone just to keep the numbers high, so the collection boxes remain nice and full. I know this sounds cynical, but how far does a guy tolerate? I mean, why not bring in the cattle, goats, chickens, and cats and dogs and sit them down on the pews and see if they can't pick up a thing or two while listening to the homilies? How far does it need to go, with all this non offensive politically correct never judge anyone and accept everyone type of attitude? I'm getting sick and tired of this tolerate anything and everything type of nonsense in the name of "live and let live".

What if "live and let live" produces a culture of death? Let us think about that for a moment.

If the doors are too wide open, then the wolves take over the chicken coop and all the chickens are looking for a way out to find a new home. And then there are the fashionmongers. Bling, glasses, pausing a little here and there to be recognized in their new get ups; all this coupled with sometimes overly sober dirge music in tone and tempo and I practically feel like hanging myself off the 2nd balcony from the top of a pipe organ pipe! It doesn't need to feel like a carnival, theme park, or zoo does it? I mean, why not hand out some 3-D glasses while we're at it, just as we are picking up the Sunday Liturgy?

And then there are those in the choir or the readers who are so zealous and happy to have their moment of glory and be in the spotlight that it becomes almost theatrical with some. And round and round the world spins. And meanwhile the BBQ smoke coming in from outside is getting mixed up with the odors of candles and incense. After a full afternoon on the grounds, a guy walks away smelling like a perfume factory that just experienced an explosion inside the furnace room!

You do make some good points, Spiritus Gladius. When I come to Church, I want to pray and also intelligent dialogue is fine and very enjoyable. It's nice meeting people, having a coffee, conversing, but I don't need a full out carnival circus zoo act. Where does the line get drawn? This is my point. There needs to be some degree of order and simple elegance present inside a Church, otherwise it breaks out into an all out circus. It's not the priests' fault, it's us. Humans often need to feel entertained somehow. Why? Adults are big kids. As one priest put it, "you are the Church". 'We' make up the Church. We can't blame the priests and leaders for all the problems. There comes a point where those sitting in the pews need to simply grow up and get a little more serious. The priest isn't some magician who is there to fix all our problems. He is the priest. Here's there for many things, but he's not a mechanic magician who can snap he fingers and fix everything right on the spot.

Catholics need to get a little more...............SERIOUS. I don't mean that we need to be walking around looking like a bunch of half starved mystics and missionaries in far flung lands, dressed up in rags, feeling guilty for owning a simple pair of shoes with laces on them. I simply mean, we need to get a little serious. It doesn't have to be a 2 rice balls/per day diet with never more than 1 cookie. We simply have to help the priests help us. I think some of them get very TIRED at times. I think some pruning of the tree and streamlining needs to take place every now and again.

Paul-Emile Leray
justjg2
6 months ago
Lets move on from this point, with faith, hope and especially love. It is not going to be easy but with Christ all things are possible.
Spiritus Gladius
6 months ago
The Church does not need numbers. What it needs is for the small numbers that it has who remain faithful to be encouraged and strengthened. I am sick and tired of my Church playing political correctness as to not offend the gravest evils of our days. Rubbish. Don't you see? You have already lost all of the liberals. You have already lost all of the feminists, gay-rights activists, abortionists, etc. Stop trying to pander to them. THEY ARE DEAD. Stop trying to pretend that their actions are acceptable in order to keep liberal minded dissidents from leaving the Church. Let them go. When you let them go, more people will come. The absolute worst thing you can do, Catholic Church, is to tolerate sin to such the great extent that you do, resulting in the loss not of the liberals, but OF THE FAITHFUL. Do not alienate those who already believe. That is what you are doing now. Do not upset those who are faithful. That is what you are doing now. THEY, the faithful, they are the Church. And if you try to pull in all of the dissenting liberals who hate the truth, you will only lose those people who embrace the truth. You, Catholic Church, only need to preach the truth. You only need to embrace justice. Christ would not condone lying just to maintain popularity. If you preach the truth and the world hates you for it, SO WHAT! It hated Christ first.
jh
6 months ago
Excellent, and true. We go to the foot of the Cross in the Sacrament of Penance, and our dear Lord makes all things new..
Peter Michael
6 months ago
With all due respect to His Eminence, the first thing he should humble himself about and seek repentance for is the ignoring and downplaying of soooo many faithful Catholics in thier begging and appeal to him to not entertain Obama at the Al Smith dinner. He really needs to make a public apology for that, or at the very least acknowledge that they may have been right - all those tens of thousands who made it very clear that this was very troubling and spiritually harmful. Until he does that, these are nice words and a good sounding speech, but backed up by nothing.
Paul-Emile Leray
6 months ago
Great! Let the dogs bark, if some are to bark. Simply remind oneself of the old Spanish saying that if we worry too much about the dogs barking we will never make it to the grocery store to get our food.

"The manifold graces that come to us from the frequent use of confession"; true: humility being one of the greatest gifts ever. Which great saint said that it was when he was weak that he was strong? (St. Paul) True. When the personal ego and will are smashed and shrunk (it needs to be done carefully with wisdom and knowledge, with a kind and soft heart with sincerity in the honest pursuit of truth with pure intent), the will of who works much more unobstructed? God. And who is stronger? The answer is self-evident. Human will is NOTHING compared to God's will, but being able to submit one's will to God's will is proof of a strong personal will and God's grace and so therefore, at the risk of some thinking or feeling that it is a sign of weakness to submit one's personal will, it is a sign of great strength to submit personal will to God's will. Discerning? Always with trained spiritual directors and true Catholic priests (not some Hollywood fame-seeking money-seeking modern day guru sophist who knows more about marketing than he does about spiritual direction).

Henry VIII, that white-skinned British savage; Hitler, that maniac; Mussulini, that loon; Saddam Hussein, another nutbell; along with the 1000s of other blood loving political, power and control hungry, fame and money seeking, butchers throughout history; all are what? Dead. And yet? The Catholic Church lives on, even though the Cadaver Synod was likely one of the most ludicrous things I have ever read about in my entire life. A perfect example of tragedy first, with a very close second being complete comedy (except for those who suffered because of it).

The US election was a disaster. With some supreme court judge positions to be filled in the near future, let us pray and hope future Cadaver Synods do not take place. I was happy to LAZER some Americans yesterday, after they accused me of being a single issue voter. One of the oldest tactics in the book, to defame the one speaking by attempting to reduce his intelligence and/or perspective and claiming FALSE claims. Dear Cardinal, don't fear. We know democracies inherently tilt towards mobocracies and the lowest common denominator, with a strong probability that demagogues rise to power and maintain power when the citizenry is drunk on ignorance. Never mind, don't worry, for all humans eventually die. Presidents of the States are there for 8 years, max. After that, they end up in history books and get to read what is written about them from either an urn or coffin while their chairs are on top of a fireplace mantle or from 6 feet under as they perform another job: analyst of the structures of dandelion roots from a new perspective. Fear not.

1. Crossing the Threshold of Hope. ISBN: 0-394-28146-9
2. Sign of Contradiction. ISBN: 0-8164-0433-X

I wish the highly talented movie writers, directors, and so forth would make deeper films on lives of the saints, for example, instead of much low level intellectually inferior marketed garbage that is a complete waste of time, money, and energy. (which explains why I almost never watch television and haven't done so for almost 15 years, other than the news and the odd few minutes of Olympics and some moments of sports; and even that is a waste of time often since most journalism these days is sensationalism put forth by cheerleading "talking boxes" as some in France refer to them as) Low on analysis with lots of noise and hot air, with plenty of cheerleading and marketing for high ratings; therefore, more money from commercial time, advertising, and so forth.

The Cardinal is in an enviable position. He is on the good side. Imagine the disaster of being on the wrong side and thinking, believing, speaking as if he was on the good side. The Cardinal is on the good side. On a longer timeline? No problem. Life is often like a ship out at sea, not like a train on rigid tracks. And that last comment goes well with what Andrew Greenwell wrote about faith and reason, with reason further divided into 'ratio' and 'intellectus'; does it not? Confession is wonderful. And what else? As odd as this might seem, recently I really enjoy attending funerals. I practically love it. This is not because I enjoy seeing people suffer. On the contrary, I like to sincerely empathize and sympathize with peoples' loss. However, it is also important to state one more thing. Funerals, along with confession, are what? Good for humility. And if a person really wants to feel humble, attend a funeral whereby the ceremony sees the family members carrying the bones and ashes inside a basket after the body has been incinerated. (as in some cultures) Painful. Yet, humbling. Why? It makes us SEE with more clarity where we all end up. I am not talking about the soul. I am referring to the physical. All the make up, the eye-lash paint, the waxing, the hair-styles, the bobs and the afros of the 60s and 70s, the comestic surgery, flies out the door does it not when seen in this perspective? What about the fame, brand name bags and expensive watches and suits? Gone. And the cars, boats, and golf memberships? Gone. And the fine food and shoes? Gone. All MEANINGLESS, in the big picture, and yet this is what the great majority dream of and chase for during their lives. Nonsense. Freedom 55? Freedom from what? If you are happy, why would anyone wish to be freed from that at 55? More stupid marketing. Aristotle: ends and means. In Jesus, the ends and means are taken care of perpetually and forever. What else does a guy want? NOTHING, other than food, shelter, clothing since while alive we need to eat, have some shelter, and at least some clothing otherwise we'll get arrested in public! Now, let me see if my nails are well filed. (just kidding)

In a way, the crash that took place and is taking place in many nations is comical. A tragic comedy with fine elements of both. I wonder if Spain's unemployment will hit 30%? How about Greece? And Italy? And Britain and France? How are all those social ideologies working out? FOOLS! At least the Porto in Portugal is still good, apparently. And Germany still produces good beer and sausages, from what I hear, along with fine cars. What about the chocolates? Belgium and Switzerland? Or, is any Spanish King threatening to kill anyone these days if the recipe for chocolate gets shared with any? (as allegedly once happened long ago in what is now his-story) Thank goodness the recipe eventually got out, for chocolate is a fine food for all to enjoy. As far as 2 other companies I can think of, let them keep their secret recipes. If that breaks out, it'll be WORSE for society.

Why is some of this comical or better worded a tragic comedy?

Christianity transcends nationalism. NOWHERE does it state where it truly matters most, to my knowledge, to place a nation state or political ideology or partisan political group or any politician above who? Jesus. And how is that freedom 55 golf and beach dream working out for everyone? Having fun chasing your golf balls and roasting yourselves like lobsters and crabs on beaches? What the hell is wrong with people! Unless Obama has a conversion, people won't be laughing so much in 4 years from now. In writing, there it is.

A democracy? It is a mobocracy that often brings forth demagogues since majority rules. Yes, but it is the nature of TRUTH that it often separates itself from the crowd. (at least in the words of either Alban Goodier-Archbishop, d.1939-or, Luis M. Martinez-Archbishop, d.1956). How to reconcile all this, when politics is often about majority opinion and emotions? The citizenry must be enlightened and also trained properly. Not only faith with no brains. Not only brains with no faith. BOTH. And I don't mean no faith and no brains. I mean: FAITH AND REASON, not in opposition but rather, in harmony and unity in synchronistic dynamic interrelated joy.

For anyone suffering from motivational problems, sleep inside a coffin for one month. (with the cover open, for air; some fools might end up going too far and forgetting that part) Imagine the eulogy of our own lives being read. See oneself inside the coffin. Feel dead. Then? Feel alive. Experimenting with all this has great benefits, providing a person is SANE and knows why and for which purposes he or she is experimenting. I don't want people going too far and actually doing such a great job acting all this out that some might actually die inside the coffin after having convinced themselves with overactive imaginations! If sanity is existent, it shouldn't be a problem.

Just to go public with this, if ever the left wing (come to think of it, practically everyone in Canada is left wing either knowingly or not; even though some support supposedly center right or right wing governments; since the culture at large is liberal and way off to the left and so is the justice system along with their structures as are the laws in general. I have considered burning or shredding my Canadian passport but laws require me to have one to travel internationally); once again, if ever the so-called center or center-left or left in Canada rises more nationally, with all this coupled with what has and is happening in the States? A potentially bigger disaster.

Some more comments. Universal health care in Canada is so altruistic that while the quality of health care is world class, the accessibility to it is such that one might be DEAD before seeing the required specialist. Where I live it takes 3 days to 3 weeks, on average, for an MRI with ZERO necessity of referral from another doctor. In Canada? What a FARCE. So for any American who thinks universal health care is altruistic and loving, think again. Accessibility for all, yes. However, what about timelines? If the waiting periods for cancer or MRI requirements are too long, is that altruistic? Is that loving? Is that caring? It is mean, atrocious, bureaucratic serving, administrator serving, with lots of money, time, energy going to serve the bureaucrats and administrators leaving LESS for research, doctors, education, and the patients (the most important).

I can not understand how an intelligent human being can not possibly see this. It is almost beyond belief. Ignorance is so powerful. It is so powerful and influential that in many cases people don't even truly know who and what they are voting for. They are often voting for images and ideologies, worshipping personality cult-like types with platitudes, attitudes and altitudes, often to their own disastrous ends while using the means of their own tax money getting put into the system to work against their own very selves. Amazing, but true.

Was Jesus more concerned with quality or with numbers (quantity) or both? What about politicians and marketers? Are they elected if the numbers are low? Do marketers make money if their customer base is low? Garbage sells. If anyone wishes to be rich, make a stupid un-necessary product and appeal to the lowest common denominator. A former investment banker with a hedge-fund once told me this. Now, let us use substitution. If anyone wishes to be elected in a democracy asleep or drunk, appeal to the lowest common denominator and you will likely get the most votes. Why? In a bar-room filled with drunks, the guy who offers a free round of drinks is the most popular guy in the bar until the next morning when everyone wakes up with a hangover. Mickey mouse mentalities, footballs, burgers, colored carbonated sugared intestine-inflating soft drinks, fun, fraternities (stupid social clubs) HAVE destroyed much of America. A former Univ. of Chicago president once allegedly stated the 3 f's were destroying the American college experience: fun, football, fraternities. It almost looks as if he might have been a closet mystic with a crystal ball. We need to be crazier (in the good sense, in the sense of fools for God) than the true crazies.
Paul-Emile Leray
DLL
6 months ago
Dear Lord: It is conversion of my heart that I seek. Who can ever be pure as our Holy God is pure. If this could be done,We must be love,as God is love. Violence has no part in evangelization or freedom for that matter,as it is simply sin,the sin of a separation from God. The wage for sin is death,as that is not the way,truth and the life,that is a life lived in a Christlike nature,that seeks only to have a life,that imitates the sort of lifestyle,that Christ exemplified. To pray to have a Christlike nature is wisdom. This sort of wisdom is the source of the new evangelization,which is what evangelization has always been about. Christ crucified is the measure of sacrificial love. Church is above State,because it is through the Holy Church that we can come to know what wisdom is. State affairs are the source of the mundane manipulative every day affairs of a government that serves itself above any sense of wisdom or justice,even a fairness for the way that it is supposed to serve it's governed masses. Holy Mass is the greatest event of each and every week. Lord you bless those most readily who seek you and to me,that desire to seek you,is to love you. The new evangelization is to seek you,in obedience to you and in obedience for the love of you. Lord you must increase within me and my will against you must decrease. Lord evangelize me and convert me because you are right and just. It is right and just for me to give you all my praise and thanksgiving for you,as you are wisdom,all truth,as well as the only true source of what is a creative love and a redeeming recreative love,the true essence of all evangelization. Amen

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment