The ever-popular Robert Barron, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, will 'go live,' speaking to young people from all over the globe at World Youth Day later this July.
While Bishop Barron was not originally planning on attending the youth encounter, when he was asked to speak, he couldn't refuse the offer.
BISHOP ROBERT BARRON
Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles
'I knew I had two European trips and I wasn't planning a third. But then they asked me to come and I thought, 'Well how can I turn it down? To go to Krakow, John Paul II's hometown.' John Paul's my great spiritual hero, and so I said yes, you know, I'll go.'
Coinciding with the general theme of mercy during the Jubilee, he will keep his talks short and to the point, so he has time to interact and answer any questions the young people might have for him.
He wants to touch on Divine Providence as well as law and freedom, so participants understand that God is not a distant figure, but an active part of the day-to-day life. He plans on using many examples from sports and music, so each listener can relate and understand the abstract topics in a tangible way that relate to their life.
BISHOP ROBERT BARRON
Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles
'It's one of the great gifts John Paul gave to the Church. There were many, people forget this, but many in the beginning who said, 'Oh no, it's a bad idea. He's going to embarrass the Church, no one's going to come.' And John Paul said, 'No, I know young people. They'll respond to a call to heroism. They don't want a call to mediocrity, they want a call to heroism.'
Bishop Barron also imitates the style of the late Pope, not dialing down the faith or presenting a 'dumbed down' Catholicism. He explains that if students read Einstein in Physics, Shakespeare in English, but then read comic books in Religion, a fundamental piece is surely missing.
BISHOP ROBERT BARRON
Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles
'I feel very strongly that you don't condescend to young people. Look at Fulton Sheen as a good example. A popular preacher, but he never dumbs down the message. He never condescends to his audience. I've tried in my own inadequate way to immitate that style.'
He is preparing for his July trip to Poland, and only has a month break before he turns right back around for another trip to Rome in September. Hopefully, the Roman weather will start cooling off for his return.
