{"id":418,"date":"2012-06-28T10:03:00","date_gmt":"2012-06-28T10:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/catholic-voices-equips-laity-to-speak-up-in-public-debate\/"},"modified":"2012-06-28T10:03:00","modified_gmt":"2012-06-28T10:03:00","slug":"catholic-voices-equips-laity-to-speak-up-in-public-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2012\/06\/catholic-voices-equips-laity-to-speak-up-in-public-debate\/","title":{"rendered":"Catholic Voices equips laity to speak up in public debate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Washington D.C., Jun 28, 2012 \/ 04:03 am (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Amid misrepresentations in the media and public square, a newly-formed U.S. lay Catholic group is working to communicate the Church's message in a way that is clear, positive and captivating.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cI think the role of the laity is to be engaged and knowledgeable and to show others the joyful, life-affirming nature of what the Church teaches,\u201d said Kim Daniels, coordinator of Catholic Voices USA.<\/p>\n

\tDaniels told CNA on June 26 that the organization seeks to offer \u201ca new apologetics for the New Evangelization.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tShe described Catholic Voices USA as a group of lay faithful who have come together to help the Church \u201cmake its case\u201d in the public square.<\/p>\n

\tThe lay Catholics who comprise the organization \u201cknow and love the Church\u201d and are able to speak about its teachings from their direct experience, she said.<\/p>\n

\tIn May, Catholic Voices held its first U.S. training session for lay Catholics, mobilizing them to \u201cmake the Catholic case\u201d in debates, interviews and other public settings.<\/p>\n

\tCatholic Voices USA is based on the British model that was started by Jack Valero and Austen Ivereigh to carry out a similar mission in the U.K.<\/p>\n

\tDaniels, who has a background as a religious liberty attorney, said that while the American group is still in its infancy, it has already \u201chad a great deal of success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tMembers from the initial training class have published op-eds in secular newspapers, made television appearances and participated as speakers in local religious freedom events.<\/p>\n

\tSuch involvement is crucial now, during the \u201chour of the laity,\u201d Daniels said. \u201cWe have been called by the Church to step forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tPeople often learn about Church teaching through the media, and misunderstandings continue to exist, she noted. Therefore, \u201cwe need to be engaged\u201d and present the \u201cpositive case for Church teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tDaniels emphasized the laity\u2019s role in showing the joyful reality of Church teaching rather than the caricature that is often used to depict it.<\/p>\n

\tThis is carried out through one-on-one discussions in parishes, neighborhoods and families, as well as participation in public debate and discourse, she observed, adding that \u201cobviously, prayer is central to any of these efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cMy experience is that people are eminently encouraged when they see Catholics confident in their faith engage in the public square,\u201d said Kathryn Lopez, editor-at-large of National Review Online, who is also a coordinator of Catholic Voices USA.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThe Catholic Church has a remarkable story to tell, that speaks to our deepest desires and makes life make sense,\u201d she stressed. \u201cIf we can tell that story better, lives will be transformed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tShe explained that the Catholic Voices model seeks to help the lay faithful fulfill this mission.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWe encourage one another. We share our experience and talents. We educate. We love one another,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is our call as Christians, to be open to, study, love, and share the Good News.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tLopez added that she has been \u201chumbled\u201d when people have approached her and told her that something she covered, mentioned or even linked to online has had \u201ca transformative effect on their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tShe explained that it was not so much her own words or actions as the fact that she \u201cwas an instrument in a lifesaving process.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe authentic witness of a Catholic life is important partly because \u201cyou never know who is looking,\u201d she observed. Similarly, when you have \u201caccess to a public platform,\u201d you may never know who is consuming the material you produce.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cMedia can be a powerful evangelization tool,\u201d she said, \u201ceven when it's not explicitly Catholic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tLopez acknowledged that it can sometimes be tempting to become confused or discouraged by lack of feedback or negative responses.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cBut that's all going to be fine if you know your real Editor is the one who gives you the words, too, as He brings peace to your heart,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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