Remarks by Pope Benedict XVI at the White House on Wednesday, as transcribed by the White House.
Mr. President, thank you for your gracious words of welcome on behalf of the people of the United States of America. I deeply appreciate your invitation to visit this great country. My visit coincides with an important moment in the life of the Catholic community in America: the celebration of the 200th anniversary of elevation of the country's first Diocese _ Baltimore _ to a metropolitan Archdiocese and the establishment of the Sees of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Louisville.
Yet I am happy to be here as a guest of all Americans. I come as a friend, a preacher of the Gospel, and one with great respect for this vast pluralistic society. America's Catholics have made, and continue to make, an excellent contribution to the life of their country. As I begin my visit, I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the Church in the United States, and strengthen the resolve of Catholics to contribute ever more responsibly to the life of this nation, of which they are proud to be citizens.
From the dawn of the Republic, America's quest for freedom has been guided by the conviction that the principles governing political and social life are intimately linked to a moral order based on the dominion of God the Creator. The framers of this nation's founding documents drew upon this conviction when they proclaimed the self-evident truth that all men are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights grounded in the laws of nature and of nature's God.
The course of American history demonstrates the difficulties, the struggles, and the great intellectual and moral resolve which were demanded to shape a society which faithfully embodied these noble principles. In that process, which forged the soul of the nation, religious beliefs were a constant inspiration and driving force, as for example in the struggle against slavery and in the civil rights movement. In our time, too, particularly in moments of crisis, Americans continue to find their strength in a commitment to this patrimony of shared ideas and aspirations.
In the next few days, I look forward to meeting not only with America's Catholic community, but with other Christian communities and representatives of the many religious traditions present in this country. Historically, not only Catholics, but all believers have found here the freedom to worship God in accordance with the dictates of their conscience, while at the same time being accepted as part of a commonwealth in which each individual group can make its voice heard.
As the nation faces the increasingly complex political and ethical issues of our time, I am confident that the American people will find in their religious beliefs a precious source of insight and an inspiration to pursue reasoned, responsible and respectful dialogue in the effort to build a more human and free society.
Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility. Americans know this from experience _ almost every town in this country has its monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, both at home and abroad. The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good, and a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate. It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one's deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate. Continue >>
RSS
Comments
We support the Pope Benedict XVI even though we are not Catholic, because he express no fear whatsoever in front of radical Islam, unlike most leaders.
As the article state he is definitely forthright in engaging Islam.
The more Usama bin Laden hassled him, the more pronounced his exploit against Islam.
critics have called him insensitive
Why would the Pope listen to dhimmies? Dhimmies can rant all the way they want.
Muslims on the other hand, specifically US Muslims, needs to stop moaning. Really
Let it go already, millions are freely converting to Christianity and become born again believers.
Pull your faces out of the dust and start thinking
Magdi Allam is a good example for you, follow his example and embrace the love of our Great Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and renounce the death cult and violence of the Quran, Hadith and Muhammad Sunnah
There you go
"The Church, for her part, wishes to contribute to building a world ever more worthy of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God. She is convinced that faith sheds new light on all things, and that the Gospel reveals the noble vocation and sublime destiny of every man and woman. Faith also gives us the strength to respond to our high calling and to hope that inspires us to work for an ever more just and fraternal society. "
The Pope's writers kept it safe. Can't see how anyone could be offended.
Nothing forceful here.
This visit of the Pope is a wake up call for all Christians. While in the US, my own Church is praying for his visit and that peope will listen to his message that Christ is our Hope.
The Holy Father will also address the moral decline of our country; abortion, gay marriage, embronic stem cell research, death penalty, etc. As a Reformed Church Pastor, he hits all the points that I would say to my congregation. I have read the encyclical from JPII of the Theology of the Body and it is amazing.
My wife and I because of that encyclical have given up on contraception and we are expecting our seventh child this June!
I may disagree with the Catholic Church on other doctines, but I still accept them as Christians and welcome further discussion. I stand with the Pope against secular relativism.
So glad he is the leader of our Church!!