Cardinal Wuerl speaks about the issues

The College of Cardinals gathered Friday morning for a day of prayer and reflection ahead of Saturday’s Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals, including the archbishop of Washington, DC, Donald Wuerl, who spoke with us about his concern for the place of religion in the public square and the role of religion in public life, both abroad and in his home, the United States.

“Now,” said Cardinal-designate Wuerl, “there are those [who] basically, say, ‘freedom of religion means you can worship in your own house of worship, but it can’t overflow and have any impact on our culture.’” The Archbishop of Washington, DC went on to express his concern that religious values, [which] are woven into the very fabric of US history, are no longer welcome there.

“I think that’s something we have to be very aware of,” he said, “very alert.”

During the course of his remarks to a select group of journalists invited to speak with him at the Pontifical North American College, Cardinal-designate Wuerl also addressed his concern for and commitment to the New Evangelization.

“The issue the Church has to face,” he said, is the changing world in which we live. “How,” he asked, “do you preach Christ risen and present in this secular, materialistic, individualistic world?” adding, “that is our task,” and noting in conclusion, “it’s been that way for two thousand years.”

Listen to Cardinal-designate Wuerl’s extended remarks: