Pope: God does not want the world to be governed by religious laws
On July 28, 2022, Pope Francis said during a Mass at St Anne de Beaupré Church in Quebec City that God does not want the world to be governed by religious laws, reports the “Religion News Service”.
The Pope told Canadian clergy and the faithful that "God does not want to make decisions for us or oppress us with a sacred power exercised in a world governed by religious laws".
"No! He created us to be free, and He asks us to be mature and responsible persons in life and in society," the pontiff stressed.
“God seems to have disappeared from the horizon, and his word no longer seems a compass guiding our lives, our basic decisions, our human and social relationships,” he added.
Instead of trying to impose religion on the state or lamenting the bygone times when clergy swayed political power, the pope said, “secularization demands we reflect on the changes in society that have influenced the way in which people think about and organize their lives.” It’s not the faith that is suffering a crisis, he continued, “but some of the forms and ways in which we present it.”
The “Religion News Service” stressed that the Pope made the statement amid a debate in the USA about the role of religion in government and the state.
As reported, the Vatican believes that LGBT families should be under the protection of the Church.
Read also
King of Jordan Donates Land Near the Site of Christ's Baptism to Serbian Church
King Abdullah II of Jordan has offered to gift the Serbian Orthodox Church land near Jesus’s baptism site, a gesture Patriarch Porfirije says will engrave the king’s name in gold in Serbian Church history.
1,000 Christian Zionist Pastors Visit Israel on Trip Funded by the Israeli Foreign Ministry
The summit comes as Israel expands outreach to U.S. churches, including a multimillion-dollar digital campaign recently disclosed in a federal filing.
Lexington ROCOR Parish Seeks Support to Purchase and Restore New Church Building
Mission parish seeks donations to acquire a historic Winchester church as a permanent home for Orthodox worship.
Hellenic College Holy Cross Alumnus Returns to Present Memoir of Alaskan Pilgrimage
Alumnus Anthony Linderman returned to HCHC to share his memoir recounting a spiritually transformative year on Alaska’s Spruce Island.
Antiochian Archdiocese to Host 2026 Winter Sacred Music Institute for Church Musicians in Phoenix
The Winter Sacred Music Institute in Phoenix will gather church musicians for education, worship, and fellowship focused on Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday hymns.
Finnish Orthodox Leader in Ongoing Talks with Security Agency Over Perceived Russian Threats
Finnish Abp. Elia says the Ukraine war has split his Church and prompted ongoing cooperation with national security services to guard against suspected Russian influence.