Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Street Poster in Ottawa - appropriate for public square? An editorial from the Ottawa Citizen on the use of graphic images to promote an agenda. Just another sign of the coarsening of our society. Sharing the space

I've been saying this for years! It is time for the church to go on the offensive in trying to answer its critics. Failure to do so is counted not in convictions or cases but in souls lost to God. At least the latest set of attacks have brought some Bishops into the public square to defend the faith and its leaders. Still not enough though. Bishops Collins (Toronto), Smith (Edmonton) and Henry (Calgary) have set the example that their brother priests need to follow. PLEASE PRAY that more Canadian Bishops will find the courage to do the same. Fr. Tim Catholics' ties to church tested by crisis

In the past couple of years, the American Church has seen the rise of more than a few Bishops who have entered into the debates of the day in the public square. While they have been subjected to numerous attacks by those who oppose the role of faith in these debates, their presence has served to strengthen and embolden the resolve of believers. Below is a link to one example: Archbishop Carlson (St. Louis) has taken an active role in the marriage debate, to the point of putting his money on the line in support of efforts to protect the traditional definition of marriage. While Canada has not had as many episcopal voices enter the debate, (God knows we need more!) let all of us commit to supporting and strengthening those who have entered the fray. http://patrickmadrid.blogspot.com/2009/11/st-louis-archbishop-carlson-now-under.html

Fr. Tim Finnigan posts at The Hermeneutic of Continuity a link to letters to the editor in The Catholic Herald that followed a debate between Stephen Fry and Christopher Hitchens vs Ann Widdecombe and Archbishop Onaiyekan on the topic: "Is the Church a force for good?" in which the theists "lost". http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/letters/index.shtml#l06112009" Aside from the excellent points made in these letters, I was reminded of a debate in New York sponsored by The Economist Magazine (2007) on a the related topic: "Religion and Politics should always be kept seperate" in which my late friend, Fr. Richard Neuhaus bested his opponents. I participated in a CBC television program that was inspired by his performance. A link to an abridged Youtube posting this 15 minute documentary is posted below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFwMZKtHiaE Further, here is a link to a text article which summarizes RJN's argument: http://www.politics...