Roman Catholic Archbishops

"A new government always represents the option of bringing great ideals and work with greater consensus, and a change of President is always a moment of great significance. We are a nation and we want to continue to contribute to the common good. We hope to deepen the solidarity policies for the most vulnerable."

"I insisted on the necessity of social consensus for those business initiatives that could affect the environment and the health of the population. I appreciate the confidence of all people involved in this process to overcome the conflict, leaving aside personal interests. I encourage everyone to continue to build together a new era in which dialogue can sow the path of social friendship and contribute to the common good of all the inhabitants of La Rioja."

"Since it is contradictory to natural reason to hold anything to be true without sufficient evidence that it is so, all that revelation proposes to us, must be shown to possess sufficient natural evidence."

"Remembering that numerous Christians have been martyred for this dignified mission we should reaffirm that it is the essential mission of every individual Christian to deliver the Good News to the people of our time who have not yet heard of Christ."

"We must look beyond our enemies - to God's honor & our profit - winning us back from Sin. - We come to Rejoice in God's protection. Christ in His sorrows was filled with joy at the good that was to result."

"Christmas is a day of blessing on which the Divine love and His reign over the world have been revealed. We should share joy and practice love with the marginalized and the neglected. When we share what we have been given, our love will not be dried out but more enriched."

"I think the interreligious situation in Korea is very unique in the world. We cannot witness often in other countries for leaders of different religions to make this kind of concrete effort for harmony and unity."

"We should recuperate the meaning of the vocation and the activity of a teacher and restore to them the social appreciation they deserve."

"A great change is taking place in our country. In several cities, where there were houses made of wood and bamboo, buildings made of concrete are increasing. In the perception of many, this is a sign of progress. But the biggest change, among the new buildings, are colleges and private educational institutions, created to respond to the deep interest in education. This is a development that is truly rewarding. Many are taking the opportunity to realize the true value that is the formation of the heart and mind of citizens, essential for integral human development."

"His gentleness and tact disarmed all opponents."

"We would like to conclude with a plea to the producers of weapons to cease to furnish weapons to Africa and in paraphrasing the Prophet Isaiah (Is 2,4), that they transform their factories of weaponry into factories of agricultural instruments or modem technologies for the good of humanity."

"It is hardly necessary to add that the use of earlier documents by an inspired writer is quite intelligible. Grace does not dispense with nature nor, as a rule, inspiration with ordinary, natural means."

"It is not an easy task, but for some time now the various populations of the country have had a greater opportunity to meet and get to know each other. Thus, it becomes easier for someone who does not know Christ to come in contact with those who bear witness to the Christian faith with their lives."

"Noteworthy progress has also been achieved in their dress, housing, preparation of food, treatment of wives, and, generally, in their ideas of social relations; so much so that the Blood Indian of to-day may be considered an entirely different being from his predecessor of twenty-five years ago."

"In the soul of Cardinal McCloskey, where Christian virtue had solid roots, they coexisted in a wonderful manner. In him were coupled the majesty of a prince, which inspired no fear, but exacted the reverence of all, with the simplicity and amiableness of a child. Well may we say of him that he was "Beloved of God and men.""

"There is need for creativity and boldness. Photography is also a means to communicate the existence and the presence of God who gave us wonderful places to contemplate his work. If properly used, technology is a great tool. My intent is to put the work in the service of evangelization that the Church has entrusted to me in Concepcion."

"In its essence Hermes' theological system, or "Hermesianism", was rationalism; and, though in many respects opposed to the doctrines of Kant and Fichte, it was strongly influenced by them."

"During the time of his administration the Archdiocese of St. Louis has advanced with rapid strides, both in temporal and spiritual matters. Many churches and institutions have been established and built, and Church legislation has been amplified and perfected by the Fifth and the Sixth Diocesan Synods called and presided over by him."

"A culture of impunity has, indeed, grown through the years. Elections have not and will not change this situation... We need to change from the bottom-up, from individuals to families, from families to communities. We need to learn new values that will transform our cultures from within."

"I note that a common but faulty view is that, like a satellite navigator, conscience gives us directions from outside our own moral reasoning. The classical Christian conception of conscience is of the natural perception of basic moral principles, their application in particular circumstances, and the final judgment about what is to be (or has been) done. Without shared objective principles, "conscientious" belief becomes window-dressing for the raw expression of preference or power. But conscience must be both well-informed and well-formed if it is to be a reliable guide to action."

"Providence spared me beyond my expectations. In regard to the dignities conferred on me personally, to which you so kindly allude, I can safely say that not one of these honors was ever sought by me. The progress of the Church referred to in the addresses is true, and so true that it is clearly the work of God and not of man."

"The very identity of an institution is bound up irrevocably with the story of its origin, its development, and its traditions, all of which must be familiar to the workers of today, if the movements of yesterday are to be perpetuated and continuity of life and effort maintained. The past must impart its wisdom to the present that the future may justify both and fulfil their aspirations."

"The cathedral, which has a nave and four aisles, is remarkable for the exquisite style and ornateness of its decorations, the beauty of its altars, sacred vessels, and vestments, the present bishop having devoted great thought and expenditure to improvements of this kind, which increase the dignity of the service."

"Few communities emerge from the by-paths of history often enough to be met with on the high-ways; and general works, even of Church history, are in consequence practically useless except at the cross roads, where they serve only to point the way."

"Had Spain specially desired to throw away Mexico, the appointment of Archbishop Lizana was the very thing to do. Old, sickly, as feeble in mind as in body, he was fitter for a hospital than for the viceregal palace. In one sense he was too good for the place. Spain wanted there a mean man, a hypocritical, lying trickster; one who could be false to all the world except Spain—particularly one who would be false to Mexico. Now Lizana was none of these. He was passably honest. He had a good heart, and a benign disposition; he lacked altogether the force of will to hold down insubordination, or regulate contending factions. Yet it was a lucky choice for the cause of independence. The policy of such a ruler must necessarily be timid, and his purpose vacillating. Episcopal pastorals were employed where viceregal orders should have been presented on the point of the sword. Frank and sincere, he had no insight into human character."

"Presidential candidates should be clear on the issues that concern the respect for life and family. If they call themselves Catholics, there can be no dichotomy between the faith and the public service to which they are called."

"If the canal brings benefits to all, then everyone should be well informed."

"He had devoted himself earnestly to the duties of his calling, and never lost sight of the fact that the church in New Spain needed much reformation and a more regular organization. While he steadily opposed the encroachments of the regular orders, he was not blind to the shortcomings of the secular clergy and the abuses which prevailed in his see. In his administration he ever sought the advice of men prominent for their excellence and sound judgment."

"The Civil War found him a resolute defender of the Church's position."

"We can promote sincere reconciliation between Korea and Japan and become neighbors in heart."

"He became endeared to all who came in contact with him."

"Holiness of life is the best preparation by which we can render ourselves capable of conesponding with God's designs upon us."

"He laboured with zeal and fidelity till his death."

"His gentleness and self-sacrifice wrought wonders."

"The bishop of Antequera, Antonio Bergosa y Jordan, a stanch royalist, who had been promoted to archbishop of Mexico and was making preparations to depart for his new field of episcopal duties, was requested by the ayuntamiento and some prominent citizens of Oajaca, at this critical period not to leave the diocese, where his influence would have great weight. He not only acquiesced and influenced public opinion in favor of the royal cause with his pastorals and sermons, but raised and armed a body of ecclesiastics."

"His government was brief and altogether eventless."

"Well educated himself, he demanded solid learning in his clergy. He was known as a good and fluent speaker."

"This diocese was the centre of a successful Christianizing movement, due to the apostolic labours of the first bishop who occupied this see, the great Bartolome de Las Casas."

"When we are healthy we are under the illusion that sickness, and death even more so, touch the life of others, but never our own."

"Cardinal Taschereau was of a silent disposition, but his speech was always pointed and effective. He was venerated by his clergy and people, who admired his Christian piety and dignified bearing."

"Cardinal McCabe had a distrust of popular movements. Brought up in the city, he was unacquainted with agrarian conditions and unable to appreciate the wrongs which the Irish tenants suffered."

"The archbishop was best known as an orator and a wit. He was adorned most by strong faith and piety, by great meekness and humility, and by a prudence that was far-reaching and admirable."

"Archbishop Spalding was a fine representative of the type of men who organized and developed the Church in the United States. To a strong faith he added sincere piety and tender devotion, to scholarship a high degree of administrative ability, and to his zeal for Catholicism a loyal interest in the welfare of his country."

"Ladies and gentlemen, you will find in your prseence a great body of men who, with many courage and the true Christian spirit, have bound themselves together for the great cause of temperance. Follow their example, for the cause of temperance means the cause of Christian perfection and the cause of suffering humanity. Should you, however, not find it convenient to join their ranks, at least help their cause by your prayers and your constant co-operation. Gentlemen of the Total Abstinence Union, we admire your spirit of self-abnegation in professing the great virtue of total abstinence, and we appreciate your efforts in encouraging it both by words and example. Your associations are of paramount importance for the spiritual and temporal welfare of our people, and are, consequently, of great service to religion and society."

"Marriage, a lasting and personal union of a man and a woman, is a solid institution which offers a frame for a relationship of fidelity and the founding of a family. Instead of trying to invent alternatives to marriage we should ask ourselves: what can we do as Church and as politicians to promote successful marriages? If the Catholic Church is in favour of marriage it is because she is convinced that marriage is the life-form which corresponds best to human nature and it represents a splendid opportunity for the personal growth of husband and wife."

"The most efficient testimonial of Christians in the next millennium will not be the critical attitude, rather it will be the attitude of joyous thankfulness for the gift of Divine life. Christians who are joyful in the Church and say "yes" to the Church, will also be able to promote enthusiasm for the Church in other people. Love for the Church, our love for the Church must always be clear and perceptible, even when we are critical of it."

"I asked all the so-called "clandestine" brother Bishops like me to take courage, to be recognized by the political authorities, to accept the laws of the State and thus live openly in full communion with the Universal Church, even in the context of their particular condition. Twenty years later, I perceive that a path of growth has been followed."

"Choose and follow Jesus... Move now! Because the Lord has already paved the way for us."

"It is believed the motives prompting his action were pure, and in keeping with the good qualities of his heart and mind. He did, or allowed to be done, what he considered proper in defence of the interests of religion and the church, though always endeavoring to avoid conflicts with the civil authority."

"He soon had to face serious dissensions over the claim by the laity to a voice in the appointment of clergy; he tactfully induced his flock to yield."