Take seriously the call to be salt, bishop tells social ministers

Published: 2004-02-24

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- If the 1.07 billion Catholics in the world took seriously the scriptural call to be salt for the earth, they could address social injustice at all levels in all cultures and nations, a Ghanaian bishop told a Washington gathering of social justice ministers. Bishop Charles G. Palmer-Buckle of Koforidua, Ghana, said U.S. Catholics in particular must guard against "becoming too salty" by refusing to blend their flavors with the rest of the world at a time when the national inclination after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks seems to be to "close in on yourselves." He spoke Feb. 22 at the opening session of the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, which brought together more than 700 people from various church social service programs for a conference that is partly lobbying opportunity, partly a chance to learn about various issues and how to address them, and, for many, a brief retreat.

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