Roman Catholic Archbishops

"Raise awareness, without forgetting our effort, as an institution to reflect on strategies and perspectives to offer young people."

"Today we are in a world where religious confessions and philosophical tendencies are constantly born. When young people do not have a strong and serious support, they tend to listen to these promoters of happiness, and this constitutes a danger for them."

"He laboured zealously and, moreover, inaugurated at Fulda, those annual reunions of the German bishops which have since produced such excellent results."

"Through the various activities of the seminary, self-confidence is promoted. It is time to recognize the contribution of women in African society and in the Church in Africa and their fundamental role in education and transmission of culture and spirituality in communities and families."

"Young people expect a lot from the Church, they have the right. Some poorly informed young people even dare to ask for the complicity of the Church to realize their dream of emigration."

"As a diplomat, Fesch sometimes employed questionable methods. His relationship to the emperor and his cardinalitical dignity often made his position a difficult one; at least he could never be accused of approving the violent measures resorted to by Napoleon. As Archbishop, he was largely instrumental in re-establishing the Brothers of Christian Doctrine and recalling the Jesuits, under the name of Pacanarists. The Archdiocese of Lyons is indebted to him for some eminently useful institutions. It must be admitted, moreover, that in his pastoral capacity Fesch took a genuine interest in the education of priests."

"Character is one of the most estimable gifts of the Creator, with which he has enriched your family. Exercise courage then, and strength of mind, to rise superior to misfortune. Let no economy appear a sacrifice. At this moment we are all poor."

"When there is just cessation of hostilities, the situation shouldn’t be equated to peace."

"Continue praying for us as we pray for you so that one day we realize the hope that our political leaders will stop playing with the emotions of the people by fuelling tribal animosities so that we can enjoy the real peace."

"Surely prayers are very important for these seminarians who are aspiring to serve in the mission of our Lord. We are still at the stage of war and people can also try to help through prayer."

"We do not choose the path of hell chosen by those who deny that in Venezuela people suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Our destiny as a nation is not in the hands of a man, a government or an empire, but in the hands of God. If anyone has to leave, it is he who is responsible for the corruption that condemns the sick to die for lack of assistance, doctors and medicines, those who are involved in trampling the dignity of Venezuelans."

"As I could not penetrate into the capital of Louisiana, without exposing the sacred character with — which I was invested, I thought it more prudent to commence the attack at those points of my diocese which were the least ably defended; judging that here, as in a citadel, I might assemble my forces, and gradually obtaining possession of the surrounding country, the strongest place would ultimately be compelled to yield."

"Without social communications there can be no democracy which is the system which teaches us how to be free, to communicate without restrictions and be able to express our opinions and criteria on matters regarding our country. We have no means of voicing our disagreement or revealing what is happening in Venezuela, which, according to the government, is a Disney country where everything is fine. According to government spokesmen, our country has no shortages, no unemployment, no insecurity. Where these things must be said, this is the job of the media, which must be the sensitive skin of society, communicating situations as they are, denouncing not just for the sake of reporting but in order to produce solutions."

"That there is no ground for anxiety about the state of religion in Tuam, and that there is nothing to be feared from the assaults of the "Soupers," — are two things I am firmly convinced of already."

"You are sure to get the aid of the charitable children of St. Patrick wherever you go."

"Why I love even the very sparrows of my dear Donegal."

"Thou knowest, O Lord, how long I have suffered at hearing the unbeliever — deaf, blind, and headstrong — speak of Thy great work, of the true religion which never dies, as of a question purely of ancient history confined to the learned."

"As Church we feel called to work for national reconciliation: we want to help bring peace to all Chadians at home and abroad, government members, rebels and members of the political opposition. And this was the significance of our statement issued just before the last elections in which we asked political and military leaders to show moderation in order to safeguard lives, peace and national harmony. War has accentuated ethnic differences. In fact if the rebels are divided among themselves, and cannot form one front it is precisely because of ethnic and regional divisions. So we are also committed to helping to heal divisions in the country and to promoting unity and lasting peace. Because there can be no national unity without lasting peace."

"Despite our limited resources we know we must give concrete help because there are human lives in danger. You might think these refugees are Christians. But they are not, the refugees from Darfur are all Muslims. And this is an opportunity to show once again that the Catholic Church does not take a position against a religion or an ethnic group. We help because human lives are in danger. When someone suffers we see this as a call from Christ to help them. It is our duty as Christians to save our Muslim brothers and sisters."

"Repent and turn away from evil. At the moment we still believe that all 16 presidential candidates have good reasons to serve the people. The selfish reasons will only become apparent when the outcome of the election is known."

"The theme of hope fits the feeling in people's hearts: in this phase, we are bearers of hope; we have the hope that comes from God. We listen and offer our strength so that the Lord may complete his work and we may do our part humbly and with faith."

"Cardinal Capecelatro, particularly in recent years, was overwhelmed by the course of events and by that Modernist crisis which had long been preparing and so violently burst out in the Church. He remained immured in his old ideal of "God and Liberty", in the old dream of "the pope arm-in-arm with the King of Italy". He did not understand the new movement and the hard lessons which it brought with it."

"In Indonesia, dialogue is crucial, it is an integral part of everyday life. Our program is to promote a dialogue on three levels: with religions, cultures and society. This results in three key words: respectively, inculturation, fraternity and development. There are many experiences in which this "triple dialogue" is fulfilled: for example, in solidarity with people affected by the eruption of the Merapi volcano, but also in meetings like those of today, inspired by the Spirit of Assisi. We are in communion with the Pope and the universal Church."

"Being heralds of good news means being inside what is happening around us. World Mission Day is a call not only to bring the word of God, but also to be involved in people's lives and their problems. The themes of health, education, justice and peace, as well as community development, concern us closely, and are part of the mission of the Church."

"Faced with this tragedy, people have not lost faith and hope. The faithful are coming to Mass even more than before the tragedy caused by the cyclone. They seek comfort from our priests but most of all they offer themselves to help others. I have discovered how most people care about being supportive of one another. From the point of view of faith, the most relevant thing is precisely the rediscovery of the value of solidarity that translates into concrete gestures."

"Who holds political and institutional office is called to serve the people and to promote the common good, beyond his personal religious beliefs or ethnicity. And citizens have to choose leaders for their skills, expertise, professionalism, not for religion."

"It is important to demonstrate that child labor is one of the most harmful forms of exploitation for the full development of human beings and a serious violation of the fundamental rights of children and adolescents. The protection of minors is an integral part of the Gospel message. It is necessary to create a safe environment for them, giving priority to their interests."

"What kind of pluralism and democracy are we talking about, when today automatically one becomes an enemy if you do not agree? We see laws of dubious legal legitimacy, based on unacceptable positivism; public policies are proposed that ignore basic human rights; the Church is attacked and there is the violation of its rights, where the attacks are unjustly ridiculing religious values and those who profess them. One cannot openly pursue believers, but they are intimidated, the right to act according to one's conscience is not respected, and this creates a climate of fear, where one can no longer profess faith and act accordingly."

"Blessed be God, so that we can, in a democratic and pluralistic society, express our thoughts, and we must always give thanks for the freedom of expression."

"Give to the faithful the example of submission and obedience to the Republic. You have long cherished the hope of enjoying the liberty which makes our brethren of the United States so happy; the liberty you shall have."

"In making up the assessment of due salary, Christian masters with a conscience in them must not only be just, that is strict duty, but they must be beyond that point. They are to remember that they have to deal with brethren and must not grieve them; they must be of a giving and generous mood."

"Like many of our fellow citizens I am disturbed by what is happening. The Senegalese people must avoid the technique of evasion. If there is a rule, it must be followed. If we respect it, we can move forward. It is important that we try to live national cohesion. We need institutions that are respected in their mission so that we can move forward together. The most important thing for me is that Senegal lives according to its Constitution."

"True, indeed, we bishops have need of you, as you also have need of us; for if we do not mutually assist one another, none of us can ever remedy the evils of which we hear so much."

"It is an act of charity that truly makes God's love tangible."

"The road to full recovery is still long, but with faith, compassion, and united action, we believe God will lead us from the rubble to renewal. The Archdiocese of Cebu remains faithful to its mission of bringing hope, rebuilding lives, and restoring dignity to all earthquake survivors, proving once again that the Church is not just a building, but a family of faith that stands firm even amidst the rubble."

"The multiplicity of feasts is in fact quite a modern development, and that the guardian angels were not honoured with a special feast in the early Church is no evidence that they were not prayed to and reverenced."

"I have indeed striven to live among you, rather as an elder brother, not perhaps in years, but in thought and feeling, and far more pleasant to me is this fraternal relation than the assumption of a dignity rather inspiring awe than love, and repulsing and repelling instead of attracting. I thank God that we live under different conditions from those that prevail in many other countries. Abroad there often exist conditions that raise barriers between the bishop and his clergy, and between the priest and his people. I thank God that it is different here, and that the relationship is nearer that of father and brother. Yet I am satisfied that the body of the priesthood of the old world show no greater reverence for their bishops or their flocks to the priests than is shown in the new world."

"Mary was conceived without sin. Behold! what the Church of Paris glories in professing and maintaining; what her Doctors hold it an honor to teach and defend; what her children are jealous of preserving as one of their dearest possessions after the sacred dogmas of faith; what they do not hesitate to regard as an immediate consequence of their faith, not believing it possible to separate in Mary, the title of Immaculate Virgin from that of Virgin Mother of God, and not considering it possible to refuse the privilege of a Conception without spot, to her who was to receive and who indeed did receive, that of the divine Maternity."

"Sire, God protect the crown of the king, for many royal crowns too have been shattered."

"Is it not permissible for a pope to pronounce a law unjust? Every newspaper arrogates to itself the right of stigmatizing the injustice of all laws, which do not agree with its partisan views."

"I never thought I was ever to be taken away from Brooklyn except by death; otherwise I might have gone slower."

"It is a contradiction to say someone can convert someone else. Only God can touch the human heart and sow the seed of faith. All we can do it to share the Good News we have received."

"The Catholic religion is not only holding its own, but advancing rapidly in Newfoundland. The most harmonious relations exist between the different denominations, which are only interrupted on occasions of public excitement, when persons aspiring to political position and honours do not scruple to stir up feelings of religious bigotry and theological hatred among the more simple-minded of the people. A great future is opening up for the country."

"I thank God for the years passed and the pastoral experience in the dioceses of Bereina and Kavieng. I return to Rabaul as Jesus returned to Nazareth: here he was judged by the people for what he had done. There will be those who will judge and will question my decisions, but all I ask is your collaboration and patience to allow me to lead the community, with the light and grace of God, as your new Pastor."

"Allow Father Leray to go into Vicksburg? Why, I would sooner let in Forrest's Brigade."

"A genuine process of reconciliation and peace is not simply to restore what has been damaged, because it is not possible to restore, but rather it is about creating a new society."

"Christ himself wanted this stable form of life in the Church that it might in some way make present the form of life he chose for himself, referring to it as an absolute and eschatological value; it cannot be simply and reductively considered an accessory reality, but instead truly and unquestionably one of the fundamental and constituent structures of the Church's very essence and nature."

"In my diocese there are so many Catholics, we can say that almost 80% of the people are Catholic, however, this does not exclude an increase of sects and other groups. The Catholic Church, however, has its weight in the national tradition and a presence in the life of the country, even at the Episcopal Conference level."

"I am a sacrificed man; may the divine will be done."

"We wish not only to increase the number of consecrated persons, but also to ask God to give strength and perseverance to those already at work in the Lord's vineyard."