Argent, quoting Zenit, gives us the scoop on Cardinal Biff’s preaching at the Lenten Papal Retreat. People had expected strong words, and the Cardinal did not disappoint.
Quoting the work “Three Dialogues on War, Progress and the End of History,” Cardinal Biffi told his listeners that “the Antichrist presents himself as pacifist, ecologist and ecumenist.”“He will convoke an ecumenical council and will seek the consensus of all the Christian confessions, granting something to each one. The masses will follow him, with the exception of small groups of Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants,” he said.
Ouch. But if you thought that was harsh, he was much more incisive later:
The 78-year-old cardinal said that if Christians “limited themselves to speaking of shared values they would be more accepted on television programs and in social groups. But in this way, they will have renounced Jesus, the overwhelming reality of the resurrection.”
Not just ignored Jesus – renounced Him. The Cardinal makes the strong point that ecumenism can be a good, but it can (and has, if you read between his lines) been taken too far. Honesty is a practice of God, not equivalence.
Particularly interesting is Catholic Mom’s take on this. She notes the contrast between the Cardinal’s words and those of Katherine Jefferts Schori. The Cardinal reminds us that when you’ve walked away from God the path to Him is back from where you are, not continuing down your own self-made road. So far this looks to be a very interesting choice by the Pope for this retreat.
Related posts:
Authors bio is coming up shortly.
