St. Paul's Newman Center - NDSU at 1141 North University Drive, Fargo, ND 58102 US - Pope's Message to the Youth

Look to the Beauty of Christ Instead of the Idols of Consumerism, Says Pope to Youth, Aug 26,2004 (www.zenit.org/english )

In his message for World Youth Day 2005, John Paul II presents to young people the beauty and attraction of Christ in face of the idols of a consumerist society.

Commenting on the theme of the meeting, "We have come to worship him," the words of the Magi to Herod, the Pontiff calls on young people to give "pride of place" to God in their lives.

"Idolatry is an ever-present temptation. Sadly, there are those who seek the solution to their problems in religious practices that are incompatible with the Christian faith," states the Bishop of Rome's message.

"There is a strong urge to believe in the facile myths of success and power; it is dangerous to accept the fleeting ideas of the sacred which present God in the form of cosmic energy, or in any other manner that is inconsistent with Catholic teaching," he continues.

"My dear young people, do not yield to false illusions and passing fads which so frequently leave behind a tragic spiritual vacuum!” the Pope warns.

"Reject the seduction of wealth, consumerism and the subtle violence sometimes used by the mass media," he adds in the message.

"Worship Christ: He is the Rock on which to build your future and a world of greater justice and solidarity. Jesus is the prince of peace: the source of forgiveness and reconciliation, who can make brothers and sisters of all the members of the human family," he continues.

"Listening to Christ and worshipping him leads us to make courageous choices, to take what are sometimes heroic decisions. Jesus is demanding, because he wishes our genuine happiness," he emphasizes.

"He calls some to give up everything to follow him in the priestly or consecrated life. Those who hear this invitation must not be afraid to say 'yes' and to generously set about following him," he stresses.

"But in addition to vocations to special forms of consecration there is also the specific vocation of all baptized Christians: that is also a vocation to that 'high standard' of ordinary Christian living which is expressed in holiness."

"When we meet Christ and accept his Gospel, life changes and we are driven to communicate our experience to others," the Pope concludes.

The Holy Father has invited all young people of the world to meet for World Youth Day in Cologne from Aug. 11-21, 2005, and has already said that he hopes to be there, his health permitting.

WYD preparatory meetings of young people from around the world will be held in German dioceses from Aug. 11-15, 2005.

The main celebrations will take place in the city of Cologne, with the participation of an expected 800,000 young people between the ages of 16-30; 600 Bishops; and 4,000 international journalists.

Pope Denounces Same-Sex Unions, Abortion June 04, 2004

In his latest blunt assessment of U.S. society, Pope John Paul II on Friday denounced the acceptance of abortion and same-sex unions as "self-centered demands" erroneously depicted as human rights. The pontiff said that "in the face of such erroneous yet pervasive thinking," visiting U.S. bishops should stress to congregations "their special responsibility for evangelizing culture and promoting Christian values in society and public life." "Rights are at times reduced to self-centered demands: the growth of prostitution and pornography in the name of adult choice, the acceptance of abortion in the name of women's rights, the approval of same sex unions in the name of homosexual rights," he said. The Catholic Church forbids abortion and considers homosexual activity a sin. Last week, John Paul warned another group of U.S. prelates that American society is in danger of surrendering to a "soulless vision of life." Greeting the latest group of bishops on the same day he held a private audience with President Bush, John Paul acknowledged the challenges to Catholic Church teaching and faith. "Ambiguous moral positions, the distortion of reason by particular interest groups ... are just some examples of a perspective of life which fails to seek truth itself and then abandons the search for the ultimate goal and meaning of human existence," John Paul said. He urged church leaders to be courageous despite detractors. "Some today view Christianity as weighed down by structures and failing to respond to people's spiritual needs," he said. Every bishop must visit the Vatican every five years for periodic consultations. This year is the turn of bishops from the United States.