'Faith will Survive, no Matter what the Controversy' - Archbishop Moras
by Adolf Washington - Bangalore
Bangalore, Mar 30: Faith has been under attack after recent reports of child abuse by priests of the Roman Catholic Church. Jeff Anderson, a US-based lawyer, filed thousands of suits against the Church since 1983, following up cases of sexual abuse.
The New York Times has started a series of investigative articles into the abuses, even claiming that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was then Archbishop of Munich, and became Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005, failed to act in time against priests accused of sexually abusing children in their care.
Archbishop Dr. Bernard Moras of the Archdiocese of Bangalore answers a volley of questions from the media (DNA) on the impact of these developments on the local Church.
Have the reports in international press in connection with the Vatican affected local Catholics?
The Church has withstood the severest attacks in the past by people and organizations. It is a fact that there are forces at work all across the world that attempt to undermine the Church.. But the faith of Catholics is not so shallow. Allegations against the Church will not destroy that faith.
What is the response of the local church to the allegations against the Pope?
The Vatican itself has expressed dismay over the manner in which the media has exaggerated the issue and presented only half-truths. I do not feel that Catholics in Bangalore are perturbed or worried about the reports appearing in the media because their faith gives them prudence to sift fact from fiction.
Is there a message you would like to share?
I hope and pray that Christians read between the lines, that they sift every report or allegation against the Church or the Pope. Our faith in God and the Church must not be shaken by controversy. The Pope, without any bias, will uphold truth and denounce untruth.
How would you define the role of the Church at present?
The Church, in present times, is doing tremendous work towards socio-economic development. The Church is also actively engaging in inter-religious dialogue to iron out the wrinkles of misunderstanding and hatred created against the Church and her work.
Is the message of faith getting lost because of a probing media?
Faith in God can’t be shaken by human error. Humans may fail us, God does not. A probing media is welcome, so long as it has no malicious intent. Everyone with a faith-guided conscience will long for the truth. But when the media presents half-truths aimed at stirring up controversy, it is unacceptable. The faith of Catholics has survived such assaults over time. Problems and controversies have occurred in the past too, but faith will survive.