Spanish archbishop calls for conversion to overcome crisis

Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Jul 26, 2011 / 08:03 am

Archbishop Julian Barrio of Santiago de Compostela, Spain recently explained that an “attitude of conversion” is needed to “find the elements necessary for overcoming the crisis” that society faces.

The archbishop drew attention to “those most affected by the crisis” and to those who have been victims of terrorism. He offered prayers for all political leaders and “for all those who are making their best effort” to “respond to the demands of the common good and to build a better society.”

The archbishop spoke during his homily on July 25, the feast of St. James the Apostle.
 
He also encouraged families to devote themselves to the “noble task of teaching the youngest generations and encouraging them to build a society in which moral and spiritual principles are practiced and the sacred respect for the person is guaranteed.”
 
The role of God has “disappeared”
 
“We must obey God before men,” the archbishop continued. He criticized “today’s culture” in which “human autonomy has become the greatest value, progress has replaced providence and the role of God, in large measure, has disappeared from consciences.”
 
“God will never deprive man of his freedom,” he said, even though “acting with a purpose that is contrary to the good of his human nature is not true freedom, as freedom orders him toward the good.”

Any law that contradicts the truth about man and not only fails to recognize his fundamental rights, but even tramples upon them, the archbishop concluded.