During Vespers in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Québec, Pope Francis reflected on Christians who become defensive when facing secularization.
The Pope said that this is a negative worldview that is often born of a faith that, feeling attacked, 'thinks of faith as a kind of 'armour', defending us against the world.'
POPE FRANCIS
This view bitterly complains that 'the world is evil; sin reigns', and thus risks clothing itself in a 'crusading spirit.' We need to be careful because this is not Christian.
If we consider this aspect of the question, we come to realize that what is in crisis is not the faith, but some of the forms and ways in which we present it. Consequently, secularization represents a challenge for our pastoral imagination.
The Pope said that secularization is a reality that poses three challenges. The first is to find other ways to preach the Gospel. For this, he recommended drawing inspiration from the book of the Acts of the Apostles. The second is to live fraternity in Christian communities. And the third is to recover credibility—so damaged after scandals such as numerous cases of sexual abuse of minors.
POPE FRANCIS
The Church in Canada has set out on a new path, after being hurt and devastated by the evil perpetrated by some of its sons and daughters.
Together with you, I would like once more to ask forgiveness from all the victims. The pain and the shame we feel must become an occasion for conversion: never again!
At the end, the Pope prayed at the tomb of the first bishop of Quebec, St. Francis de Laval, who lived in the 17th century.
JRB
TR: KG
