More From Catholic Matters by Neuhaus:
Early on, Benedict took up the theme of evangelization in a way reminiscent of John Paul's statement in Redemptoris Missio (The Mission of the Redeemer) that the Church imposes nothing, she only proposes.
There are those, Benedict observed, who say non-Christians should be "left in peace" out of respect for their own "authentic" beliefs, whatever they may be. "But how can this be the case," asked Benedict "If the true authenticity of every person is found in communion with Christ and not without him? Isn't it our duty to offer them this essential reality?"
As Joseph Ratzinger did in his many writings, so Benedict has emphatically underscored in the unbreakable connection between freedom and truth. The truth of Christ does not restrict, never mind abolish freedom, it is the foundation of freedom.
He said "If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that he might take something away from us?" He then answered "No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great...Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation."
Labels: Truth, freedom--some of that stuff
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