More on Cardinal Dulles

From SJVB

Dulles, the son of Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, was a convert from the Presbyterian Church and joined the Jesuits in 1956. An expert on religious education, Dulles served on the faculties at many prestigious Catholic universities (back when they were actually Catholic) and his elevation to the College of Cardinals in 2001 was something of a surprise. It was also an anomaly, since he was one of the few modern-day Cardinals who was not a bishop.

I found this great quote from Dulles at Rorate Caeli, an excerpt from an article he penned for First Things in May 2004, entitled "The Rebirth of Apologetics". It is as relevant now, if not more so, than when it was first published:

"...In a pluralist society like our own, religious faith is felt to be divisive. To avoid conflict Christians frequently take refuge in the excuse that people should be left free to make up their own minds about what to believe. After all, they say, no one can be argued into faith. Even to raise the question of truth in religion is considered impolite.

This withdrawal from controversy, though it seems to be kind and courteous, is insidious. Religion becomes marginalized to the degree that it no longer dares to raise its voice in public. This privatization has debilitating consequences for the faith of believers themselves. If we do not consider that it is important for others to hear the Christian proclamation, we inevitably begin to question its importance for ourselves. The result is a massive loss of interest in religious teaching. The reluctance of believers to defend their faith has produced all too many fuzzyminded and listless Christians, who care very little about what is to be believed. Their halfhearted religion is far removed from that of the apostles and the martyrs. It is a degenerate offspring of authentic Christianity.

Recognizing that faith is enfeebled if its rational grounds are denied, committed Christians are today returning to apologetics..."

And Via Fr Joe a video of the Caridal's ordination.