Admit faith is weak, New York archbishop tells young people in Madrid

cns ^ | August 17, 2011 | Gretchen R. Crowe

[NYer]

Archbishop Dolan greets World Youth Day pilgrims from New York in Madrid. (CNS/Paul Haring)

By Gretchen R. Crowe
Catholic News Service

MADRID (CNS) -- World Youth Day pilgrims got down to business in Madrid Aug. 17 as the first catechesis classes taught by archbishops and bishops were held in locations throughout the city.

Sessions were divided by languages, and pilgrims were encouraged to go to the session closest to their accommodations.

At San Ricardo Church, northwest of the city center, cheers and cries of welcome greeted New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan as a group of approximately 350 young people -- mainly from Australia, the United States and Barbados -- caught a first glimpse of their teacher for the day. A clear lover of people, Archbishop Dolan posed for every photo-op, embraced many familiar -- and unfamiliar -- people, and ended up at the front of the church with an Australian baby propped in his arms.

With his catechesis theme gleaned from that of World Youth Day, Archbishop Dolan spoke about faith as a logical gift from God and about what it means to keep that faith firm.

The best way to maintain a strong faith, he said, is to acknowledge that it is weak.

"When we admit our faith is weak, when we admit our faith is shaky, when we admit that our faith isn't what it should be, actually we're exercising it, and we're making it more and more firm," he said. "Something tells me that's why we're (at World Youth Day)," he said. "Our faith is weak, our faith is shaky. We want to be with a million other young people from around the world who love their faith and are trying to make it strong."

Using personal anecdotes of his life in New York, Archbishop Dolan explained to the young people that faith is easy to observe, but difficult to define. He called it a gift given by God to those who ask for it: Free will enables people to live without faith, but it's always ready and waiting.

Archbishop Dolan described what he called the paradox of faith: how in the world today faith is often seen as illogical, unable to be scientifically verified, a crutch for people to avoid the duties and trials of earthly life, and the cause of hatred in the world.

But faith is "the most logical thing of all when you think about it," he said. Most of the things that matter most to people cannot be demonstrated, such as love, loyalty, friendship, joy and trust.

"We can't show that under a microscope, and yet those are the most real things in life," he said.

Faith should be fostered through the sacraments, and struggles and tough times in life should be used to strengthen faith, not hurt it, he said. And, he stressed, Catholics need to remember that faith is not a doctrine, creed or even a church.

"Our faith is in a person, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," he said. "He and he alone is the root, the origin and the goal of our faith."

During a question-and-answer session, one Australian pilgrim touched on what will likely be a challenge for many young people once they leave World Youth Day: how to interact with those who do not agree with the basic principles of the Catholic faith and who are, in fact, living a life averse to the church's teachings.

The archbishop's answer was simply this: with love.

"We can scream, we can yell, we can castigate, we can alienate, we can nag, and most of the time if we do that we lose," he said. "Or we can be gracious, patient, loving, understanding, persistent, welcoming. And most of the time when we do that, we're also going to lose. But less than the first one."

It was this frank manner of speaking that led Nicole Bedosky, 16, of Middletown, N.Y., to call her archbishop "engaging."

"Everybody was paying attention," she said. And seeing her own archbishop was a pleasant surprise and a taste of home, she added.

The catechetical sessions will continue Aug. 18 and 19, offering pilgrims additional opportunities to meet with those in positions of authority in the church -- a fact that is much appreciated by the young people.

"They're taking time out of their lives and their positions to come and speak to young people," said Rebecca Devitt, 25, of Dubbo, Australia. "It may allow (the youths) to get to know the people who are probably a little bit on a pedestal in a lot of places. It may humanize them a little bit more."

On the way into the church, Archbishop Dolan told Catholic News Service that World Youth Day is "a powerful icon of the church universal."

"This is a great honor for me just to be able to teach, because bishops are, first and foremost, teachers," he said. "To teach 300 or 400 kids who are eager to hear, it's a challenge and inspiration."

[NYer]

EWTN’s World Youth Day team interviewed a group of young New Yorkers this morning. Apparently, this is the first WYD where catechesis workshops have been set up. The group said there were long lines of youth waiting to get into the various workshops.

[Biggirl]

To Archbishop Dolan, I do say, join the club, I share your viewpoint. My faith is very, very weak, but even so, I cling to it. :)

[the invisib1e hand]

His inspiring leadership is too sublime for a mule like me.

[Biggirl]

Nice hat. Must have borrowed it from Matt Drudge. :)

[johngrace]

Thats Funny!! LOL!! He is irish with the sensitive skin! But that is funny! I go to Drudge site for my news too.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Yes. It's weak because the hierarchy has promoted the teaching of evolution and higher Biblical criticism to Catholic kids for almost a hundred years.

Of course, since evolution is now a Catholic distinctive to differentiate "good Catholics" from "Bible-toting trailer trash," no bishop is ever going say this.

[Biggirl]

Thank-you to you coming from a lady who is part Polish and has sensitive skin myself.

[johngrace]

I love Polish People. You ever go to a Polish festival. Such culture and great food! Fun. I know a lot of Poles. Well in my old state of N. Y. anyway.

[Biggirl]

Yes I have serveral years back. Wonderful events. The one I used to go when I used to live in New Britian, CT, do not have the Polish word to mind, but it meant “harvest festival”.

[GirlShortstop]

BUMP to Abp Dolan

[NYer]

Ping!

[Scythian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo

Mine too friend, I often turn back to this when I’m at work and need strength ...

[Cronos]

yes, the beauty is that even if we start with weak faith, God builds it up through the mysteries fo the sacrament

[Biggirl]

....And also through God’s holy word, (The Bible) as well.