Go America, GO! Even the Pope says so!
April 16, 2008
It is a time of renewal for both the Catholic Church and Americans, as evidenced by the meeting today on the White House lawn between President Bush and Pope Benedict.
Plagued by the priest scandal, questioned by both society and some of its own members as to the role women play in the church, and various other issues, the Catholic Church in
“As I begin my visit, I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the Church in the
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. In a word, freedom is ever new. It is a challenge held out to each generation, and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good (cf. Spe Salvi, 24).”
All Americans, regardless of their faith, should look upon the Pope’s visit to
God Bless
I think the writer has several good points this comment. It is gratifying to read comments like the ones expressed. Truely, it is about time Americans looked at themselves, and realzed what all the negativity, andthat is being generated by the news media, has done to us. We all need to be proud of our country and the principals upon which it was founded. Somewhere along the way, we have lost these principals and become a nation of self interests, self gratification, and personnal greed. I am ashamed at a government that was founded by the people and for the people, is now a government by the politicians and for the politicans.
I hope that Americans wake up and bring back the values that the country was founded on, so that my children and their children are able to live in the greatest Country in the world. If we keep on our current path, we will become a third world nation, and that will truely be sad.
GO AMERICA GO
Raj, I love this link. It will get all of my ever developing ideas a playground. So, yes, we must repect our freedom and remember it is a priviledge that was earned by blood, sweat, and tears.
Too many of us are so comfortable with our freedom that we forget to utilize it to it’s maximum.
I, too, was guilty of not utilizing my fullest potential. But being a teacher has made me feel as though I live every day with meaning, vigor, and purpose.
So cheers to the dedicated teachers of America!
I think that the backlash against Bill Maher’s ridiculously offensive comments about the Pope show that Catholics are ready to move forward. I wonder if his visit to the US will effect the election. The Catholic vote is tough to categorize.
I concur with these comments and believe that people need to stop taking everything for granted as if we are owed it.
This author is right to see the Pope’s visit as a stimulus for renewal of both Church and state. All American citizens, Catholics especially, would do well to take the Pope’s message to heart: freedom entails personal responsibility and the preservation of freedom calls principally for the cultivation of virtue (in virtue are contained the notions of self-discipline, civic responsibility, mercy toward the poor, sacrifice for the common good, etc.). I believe such a renewal of character at the individual level is essential for the renewal of American culture and government. In particular, such a renewal of character would foster a more participative citizenry, as well as a citizenry that is better-informed and unafraid to bring moral considerations into both reasoned public debate and the voting booth. If there is to be renewal in America, we must not forget the values upon which we were founded, but return to them.
I believe that what the Pope said was very powerful. It is also something hits very close to home. As a college student, I know that I take advantage of all of the freedoms that I am given. The ability to go to any school in the nation, take any class no matter what my religion, and the chance to decide my own future. But, the most important thing that I take for granted, is the ability to vote. As part of a representative democracy, we have a lot of opportunities that other people around the world do not have. With this said, I believe the Pope has reminded us that we need to continue to practice our democratic rights.