Again I return to a constant theme of WDTPRS: Pope Benedict ‘s "Marshall Plan" to revitalize Catholic identity, our worship being the tip of the spear. We need to do this in order to keep the Church as a strong and good influence in the public square. If we don’t know who we are, why should anyone bother to listen to us?
Below, you will find comments of His Eminence Camillo Card. Ruini. The context of these comments is, of course, the present controversies and attacks on the Holy Father. However, Card. Ruini pointed out something of interest to WDTPRSers. Excerpt:
"It’s not only about announcing and testifying of God as our creator and savior," he explained, rather "It’s about … trusting him and putting ourselves in his hands, therefore praying and making space for him, his presence and his grace, in our entire lives.
"Here, the great insistence of Benedict XVI on the liturgy has its origin," he underscored.
Here are other things from Card. Ruini as reported by CNA with my emphases and comments.
Cardinal Ruini speaks on Pope Benedict and ‘cleaning’ of the Church
Vatican City, Apr 15, 2010 / 05:39 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- This "isn’t the first time the Church has suffered," Cardinal Camillo Ruini said as he reflected on the current state of the Church in an interview with the Italian paper La Repubblica on Thursday.
Responding to a question about the "dramatic moments" the Catholic Church is living through as Pope Benedict XVI approaches the fifth year of his pontificate, Cardinal Ruini said, "It’s is undoubtedly a period of suffering and of trial for the Church, that at the moment revolves around the question of pedophilia."
"But it isn’t the first time the Church has suffered," he added. In the past, there have been other trials, other sufferings, always overcome by Providence." [Do I hear an "Amen!"?]
In the current situation, the cardinal said, "there are the objectively very serious sins of some priests and there is a strong desire to put the entire Church and especially the Pope on the bench of the accused: a profoundly unjust and unfounded thing, because Benedict XVI is exactly the opposite of that which they wish to make him appear (to be)."
Reflecting on the scope of the words of Pope Benedict during the Stations of the Cross in 2005 when he spoke of a "cleaning" that needed to take place in the Church, the cardinal said that while pedophilia is a part of the needed cleaning, "it would be mistaken" to read into that statement as strictly pertaining to sexuality.
The "cleaning" mentioned by Pope Benedict should be considered as "a challenge that concerns all of our Christian life, beyond that of priests, and it’s a challenge that, as Jesus has taught us, one can hope to win only concentrating before all on Him, (and) therefore on humility and prayer," the cardinal said.
During the interview, Cardinal Ruini said he observes a "profound continuity" between Pope Benedict and two of his predecessors, Popes John Paul II and Paul VI. The current Pope, he noted, can also be noted for the priority that he gives on evangelization.
"It’s not only about announcing and testifying of God as our creator and savior," he explained, rather "It’s about … trusting him and putting ourselves in his hands, therefore praying and making space for him, his presence and his grace, in our entire lives.
"Here, the great insistence of Benedict XVI on the liturgy has its origin," he underscored.
Cardinal Ruini recognized the Holy Father’s acumen as a "grandissimo" theologian, an "extraordinary homilist and catechist," and, he said, contrary to the thoughts of some, "it’s mistaken to think that he takes little care of the government of the Church." [I think Card. Ruini is right to mention this. However, I think it is also the case that Papa Ratzinger hasn’t always had the greatest success in administration.]
Cardinal Camillo Ruini is a former president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference and is now working on the Italian bishops’ "Cultural Project," maintaining the Church’s presence within contemporary discussion. [Get that? Maintain the Church’s presence "within contemporary discussion". Keep the Church’s voice in the public square.] He was recently named by Pope Benedict XVI to head the investigation commission on the possible Marian apparitions at Medjugorje.
WDTPRS likes the Cardinal’s mention of liturgy.
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“It’s not only about announcing and testifying of God as our creator and savior,” he explained, rather “It’s about … trusting him and putting ourselves in his hands, therefore praying and making space for him, his presence and his grace, in our entire lives…”
A swashbuckling liturgist to the rescue! OORAH! Take that, you slimy liberal rainbow banner waving puppeteers!
Sorry. I get excited over good news.
Cardinal Ruini is right on the money. This whole media onslaught (by the secular media and fake Catholic media like NCR) is all designed to mute the Church’s voice on moral issues. The left-wing, loon lying sack of s— media, cannot stand, tolerate or suffer the Church’s position on abortion, gay marriage, etc. That’s why they are going bananas right now. The most disgusting aspect of this are fake Catholic priests, nuns, and bishops who are aiding and abetting the folks who should be their enemies, the media, because they are Christ’s enemies. I hope to God that I don’t run into a priest, nun or bishop supporting the media because I will jack their jaw. That’s probably the only way these morons will get it. And I will be Christlike in that, because our beloved Saviour acted in the same fashion to the money-changers in the Temple, whom these faux Catholics share so much in common. This is war and I am ready!!! I will take no quarter.
“Pope Benedict ’s “Marshall Plan” to revitalize Catholic identity, our worship being the tip of the spear. We need to do this in order to keep the Church as a strong and good influence in the public square. If we don’t know who we are, why should anyone bother to listen to us?”
Amen, Fr. And why would they want to join us?
…trusting him and putting ourselves in his hands, therefore praying and making space for him, his presence and his grace, in our entire lives.” Oh, I like the idea of “making space…for grace” which is Our Lord, isn’t it?
Just this a.m. I was thinking that God is love…as we are taught. Sr. Lucia had the vision after the apparitions at Fatima, of the Blessed Trinity and the words Grace and Mercy. My mind is thinking that Love…charity…is grace and mercy.
Isn’t Our Holy Father exhibiting grace and mercy…love…now?
“It’s about … trusting him and putting ourselves in his hands, therefore praying and making space for him, his presence and his grace, in our entire lives…”
I wish I could read an essay that begins with this quote. I have spent my entire adult life in the post-Vatican Church. I see these words and I want more… I NEED that Church-that Christ. I try but I need to be nourished better. It is one of the reasons I come here.
“If we don’t know who we are, why should anyone bother to listen to us?”
BINGO!
Great!
Cardinal Ruini is wonderful, too. Always wise words from him!
We should pay careful close attention to these remarks. This Holy Father cares more about the Liturgy and knows how to ground us in it more than any Pope in recent decades and may indeed be the last one to care so for the Liturgy during our lifetimes. We should support him and do what we can as lay people to help Priests reorient their Liturgies, and in effect realigning our proper identities. Pray for the Holy Father and his Pontificate. He is a very wise Pope.
Ruini for Secretary of State!