CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Changes in the nature of American society call the faithful to renew their commitment to living out their beliefs in public life, said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia.<\/p>\n\tThe \u201cAmerica of Catholic memory is not the America of the present moment or the emerging future,\u201d Archbishop Chaput said July 26, as he addressed the annual gathering of Catholic leaders hosted by the Napa Institute in Napa, Calif.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\tIn response to this reality, he urged Americans to \u201crecover our distinctive Catholic identity and history\u201d in order to restore a proper understanding of freedom in the U.S.<\/p>\n
\tThe archbishop explained that America\u2019s founders, whose \u201cmoral framework was overwhelmingly shaped by Christian faith,\u201d welcomed the cooperation of government and religious groups in promoting society\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n
\tThey realized that religion was not merely a matter of private belief or worship, but a matter of \u201cactive discipleship,\u201d which involves \u201cpreaching, teaching, public witness and service to others,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\tGiven that context, the founders understood religious freedom encompasses \u201cthe right of religious believers, leaders and communities to engage society and to work actively in the public square,\u201d Archbishop Chaput said.
\n\t\u00a0
\n\tBut a growing secularism and the loss of a moral foundation suggest that \u201cAmerica is becoming a very different country.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tHe pointed to growing \u201ccontempt\u201d for religious faith, as well as \u201cgovernment pressure on religious entities,\u201d seen not only in the highly-publicized contraception mandate but also in attacks on the conscience rights, hiring practices and tax statuses of businesses, charities, medical workers and private citizens.<\/p>\n
\tSuch threats will \u201cget worse as America\u2019s religious character weakens,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n
\tHowever, there is still an opportunity to change the culture, Archbishop Chaput said, adding that Catholics need to acknowledge \u201cAmerica is now mission territory.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\tChange is brought about \u201cnot just by our actions, but by what we really believe \u2013 because what we believe shapes the kind of people we are,\u201d he said. \u201cA culture is more than what we make or do or build. A culture grows organically out of the spirit of a people \u2013 how we live, what we cherish, what we\u2019re willing to die for.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\tThis change in culture will require a shift in thinking, he explained, and a realization that there is not an \u201cautomatic harmony between Christian faith and American democracy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t\u201cDemocracy is not an end in itself,\u201d the archbishop reminded the Catholic leaders gathered in Napa. \u201cMajority opinion does not determine what is good and true.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tRather, there is a need for politics rooted in virtue, he said. Catholics must stand up for what they believe, realizing that political involvement is \u201curgent\u201d and will play a significant role in shaping the nation\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cDemocracies depend for their survival on people of conviction fighting for what they believe in the public square,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n
\tArchbishop Chaput explained that the cooperation required for democracy cannot become \u201can excuse for compromising with grave evil\u201d or for \u201cstanding idly by while our liberty to preach and serve God in the public square is whittled away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tIf we are not willing to work tireless to promote a culture that respects human dignity and a true freedom, \u201cwe should stop trying to fool ourselves that we really believe what we claim to believe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\tThere is also a need for interior renewal, allowing for silence and God in our lives, he added, explaining that this is necessary to form the prudent and reasonable electorate on which America depends.<\/p>\n
\tLooking to the future of the U.S., Archbishop Chaput called on the faithful to work towards \u201cgrowing\u201d a culture of religious freedom by living out the Gospel without hesitation.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThe firmer our faith, the deeper our love, the purer our zeal for God\u2019s will \u2013 then the stronger the house of freedom will be that rises in our own lives, and in the life of our nation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\tParticipants in the July 26-29 Napa Institute Conference will hear from numerous Catholic leaders on how to live as Catholics in modern-day America. The sessions aim to help them to grow in their understanding of the faith and be motivated to live and defend their beliefs in a secular culture.<\/p>\n
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Napa, Calif., Jul 27, 2012 \/ 12:32 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- Changes in the nature of American society call the faithful to renew their commitment to living out their beliefs in public life, said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
\tThe “Am…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-us"],"yoast_head":"\n
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