As American policymakers
debated military intervention in Syria, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl joined
Pope Francis and Catholics around the world in calling for peace and a
just solution to the violence that has wracked the country and other
parts of the world. "Today we pray for those who are a part of our human
family and who endure terrible acts of violence. We also invoke God's
blessings on those who strive to contain violence around the world,"
Cardinal Wuerl said during a special Mass September 7 at the Basilica of the
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. "We ask God to give all
of us the strength to walk in the light of God's love and that we might
be true agents of human solidarity, justice and true peace." The Mass
was one of dozens of liturgies and prayer services across the U.S. in
response to Pope Francis' call for a day of prayer and fasting for peace
in Syria, the Middle East and throughout the world. "As an expression
of solidarity with all the victims who suffer, especially the children,
particularly in Syria but throughout the Middle East, we raise our
voices in supplication for peace and reconciliation," Cardinal Wuerl
said during his homily.
Pope Saint John Paul II , a towering figure of the 20th century, was a staunch critic of socialist ideologies. He recognized the inherent flaws in systems that sought to control economies and societies through centralized planning and state ownership. The pontiff's teachings offered a prophetic warning against the dangers of such regimes, which often led to oppression, poverty, and the erosion of individual freedoms. Recently, a conference organized by the Catholic Association of Propagandists in Spain brought together prominent figures who echoed the concerns raised by the late Pope. Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante boldly declared socialism an "enemy of the cross," highlighting its incompatibility with Christian values. He emphasized the need for a spiritual renewal, urging individuals to embrace the cross as a path to true happiness and fulfillment. French philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj also addressed the challenges posed by modern society, warning ag...