Argentinean archbishop exhorts laity to live Christian life without fear or embarrassment

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Apr 27, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Archbishop Domingo Castaña of Corrientes, Argentina, said this week that unless one encounters Christ as the true way to follow, “one risks taking paths that only lead to emptiness and disillusionment.”

Archbishop Castaña recalled that Christ, who is “the Way,” must occupy an important place in society, but that this is dependent upon the humble action of believers.

He also exhorted the faithful “to not be afraid or ashamed of publicly acknowledging their unconditional allegiance to Christ.”  Silence about one’s faith, he said, can lead to cowardice and corruption, as well missed opportunities to share the love of God with those who are in search of Him.

“How can we respond to those who complain about the inconsistency of ‘practicing Catholics’ regarding what they profess and what they do?” he asked, answering that in order “to convince those who are estranged from the faith that Christ is the way, He must truly be the way for each of us.”  When they see that we are following the way of Christ, he added, they will be convinced to accept it themselves and will journey with us to the end.

“The simple revelation that Christ is ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life,’ should lead believes to bear witness to Him in their relationships with others and in society.  Jesus is the Way, but we need a path that leads to Him and we must follow it.  We must open up that path with our spiritual predisposition and not wait for a miracle to correct our negligence,” concluded Archbishop Castaña.