In his second video message of the week, Bishop Robert Barron on August 30, 2018, addressed the abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, suggesting that while he understands the frustration Catholic feel, this is not the time to leave the Church.
His August 28 video was a Q/A on the current situation. In his second segment, he recalls Abraham Lincoln’s determination to make the United States live up to its foundational ideals by eliminating slavery — suggesting this is a time for the faithful to fight for the Church to live up to its ideals. Lincoln wanted to “set things right” and that is what Catholics must do.
“Friends, in light of the recent scandals, I know many people are wondering whether they should remain in the Catholic Church,” according to Bishop Barron. “And I totally get that; the outrage is warranted. But in this time of crisis, I beg you not to flee, but to fight–not violently, with the weapons of the world, but with the weapons of the Spirit. We need you.
“We are not Catholic because of the moral excellence of our leaders. We are Catholic because of Jesus Christ.”
Bishop Robert Barron, known for his Word on Fire ministry and an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
