Pope Praises U.S., but Warns of Secular Challenges
Stephen Crowley/The New York Times
On the White House South Lawn, 13,500 people greeted the pope, along with a 21-gun salute, a fife-and-drum band, two rounds of “Happy Birthday,” and Kathleen Battle singing the Lord’s Prayer. More Photos >
New York Times
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN and SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
Published: April 17, 2008
WASHINGTON — Pope Benedict XVI visited the White House on Wednesday, his 81st birthday, and praised America as a nation where strong religious belief can coexist with secular society.
But he later warned, in a speech to American bishops, of the “subtle influence of secularism” that can co-opt religious people and lead even Catholics to accept abortion, divorce and co-habitation outside of marriage.
“Is it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs?” he asked in a lengthy address to the bishops. “Is it consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor and the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior contrary to Catholic moral teaching or to adopt positions that contradict the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death?”
“Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted,” he said.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 9:05 AM
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