Pope Benedict XVI's four-day visit to the UK has so far been one long argument -- demonstrated in words, deeds and symbolism -- against the secularist attempt to drive out faith from the public square. But the argument has been accompanied by a call -- to Catholics to take their place in that square. He made the call again at this morning's Mass at Westminster Cathedral.
He called for Newman's ideas "to inspire all Christ's followers in this land to confirm their every thought, word and action to Christ, and to work strenuously to defend those unchanging moral truths which, taken up, illuminated and confirmed by the Gospel, stand at the foundation of a truly humane, just and free society."
And he added: "One of the greatest challenges facing us today is how to speak convincingly of the wisdom and liberating power of God's word to a world which all too often sees the Gospel as a constriction of human freedom, instead of the truth which liberates our minds and enlightens out efforts to live wisely and well, both as individuals and as members of society."
