Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 31, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Archbishop Domingo Castagna of Corrientes, Argentina, said this week the Church’s strength is not to be found in politics but instead in the “means of grace” given by Christ and in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
“These means (of grace) and the leading action of the Holy Spirit are made manifest in the holiness of Christians. There the strength of the Church is evident: in holy men and women taking responsibility for the temporal duties that are theirs - there is no better expression of this truth,” he said.
Christians, he went on, respond to their critics with “the serene self-control of Jesus,” who does not impose, but rather, proposes the truth. Christ “manifests the truth” through his holiness, Archbishop Castagna said, adding that our ineffective efforts to preach the Gospel prove that “only holiness convinces others of the truthfulness of the message we proclaim.”
In this sense, the archbishop noted, the renewed attacks on the faith and the Church will fail yet again “if Christians are holy” because holiness is “the youthfulness of the Church” and ensures “the constant renewal of her structures.”
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA