Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone Warns Attacks on Catholics are 'Celebrated' in the Culture

In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco has issued a stark warning about the challenges facing Catholics in today's society. The 67-year-old prelate drew attention to the growing explicit attacks on the Catholic faith, both within and outside the Church, which he believes are being "championed and celebrated in the culture."

Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
8/16/2023 (1 year ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Catholic, faith, anti-catholic, attacks, celebrated, culture, Archbishop Cordileone

Archbishop Cordileone pointed out the widening divide between Catholic teachings and the prevailing secular culture. He expressed concern about the struggle Catholics face in maintaining their faith amidst a world that has become increasingly secularized, not merely devoid of religious influence but actively hostile to certain foundational values held by the Catholic Church.

He emphasized the need for Catholics to grapple with this tension: "In our own Catholic Church, we're in a struggle about living our faith in a world that's become very secularized -- but secularized not in the sense of apart from religion, but with a value system that's hostile to some basic values that we have. How do we live our faith with integrity?"

The archbishop recognized the current polarization within society but urged Catholics not to be discouraged. He highlighted the rich intellectual tradition within Catholicism, one that provides ample resources to understand the human person's role as created in God's image. Despite this, Archbishop Cordileone observed a disparity between those who identify as Catholic and those who genuinely comprehend and practice their faith. He lamented, "We have a high percentage of Catholics on paper, but we haven't done a very good job of forming our people well in the faith and helping them understand the faith and love it and live it out."

He attributed this lack of understanding to poor formation within the Church, resulting in Catholics who may not fully grasp the teachings and wisdom that underpin their faith. Consequently, many Catholics live lives that are more influenced by the secular society they inhabit than by their Catholic faith. This phenomenon, according to Archbishop Cordileone, has weakened the Church's social influence and its potential to contribute positively to the common good.

Furthermore, Archbishop Cordileone tackled the issue of anti-Catholic attacks in society head-on. He acknowledged that such attacks have become more explicit and prevalent, both in terms of property desecration and insulting rhetoric. Reflecting on his own experiences growing up, he noted that this level of hostility was unheard of in the past. He stated, "We have to realize that we're being explicitly attacked. When I was young, that didn't happen. I mean, our properties are being attacked, our sacred symbols are being desecrated. We're being explicitly insulted, and that's been championed and celebrated in the culture. So this is a new reality that we're still trying to adjust to."

While acknowledging the need to stand up for one's faith, Archbishop Cordileone cautioned against adopting an overly confrontational approach. He suggested that instead of making bold public statements on all cultural issues, Catholics should strategically choose where to take a strong stand. He warned that excessive bombast might erode the Church's credibility and even yield unintended consequences.

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The archbishop urged Catholics to engage in the political process as a means to effect positive change in society. He encouraged them to actively participate in local politics, such as running for office or serving on city councils and school boards. According to him, this engagement is crucial for reshaping the cultural landscape and safeguarding the values that Catholics hold dear.

Archbishop Cordileone stressed that raising strong Catholic families is a key strategy in countering the cultural assault on faith. He encouraged parents to ensure that their children are well-formed intellectually, grounded in Catholic teachings, and equipped to contribute to their communities and even the political sphere. He envisions these well-prepared individuals as the driving force behind positive cultural change.