Catholic view needed more than ever in political arena, says official

Published: 2004-02-24

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Catholic perspective is needed more than ever in the political arena, said John Carr, head of the U.S. bishops' Department of Social Development and World Peace. "We like to say Catholic social teaching is our best-kept secret," Carr said. "If it's a secret, we've failed." Catholic social teaching, he added, "is more clear and more visible today than at any time since the Sermon on the Mount." Carr made his remarks Feb. 23 during an address at the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington, co-sponsored by three agencies of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and 10 national Catholic organizations. The Feb. 22-25 gathering had as its theme "Faithful Citizenship: Defending Life, Overcoming Poverty, Seeking Justice and Peace."

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