More from St. John Vianney

St. John Vianney wrote:

Those who practice devotion, who go often to Confession and Communion, and fail to do works of faith and charity, are like trees in blossom. You think there will be as much fruit as flower; but there is a great difference.... (Thoughts of the Curé D'Ars, p. 27).

Timely words in light of Pope Benedict XVI's recent encyclical, Caritas in Veritate. We must not be faith and morals Catholics at the expense of social justice, and we must not be social justice Catholics at the expense of faith and morals. We must be Catholics, and Catholics are people who try to live both faith and morals, and social justice. To do otherwise is to be a cafeteria Catholic.

Caritas in Veritate

Yesterday Pope Benedict XVI published his encyclical, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). I have glanced through the encyclical and want to comment on it more later, but for now I wanted to note some early commentators:

George Weigel in National Review

Amy Wellborn in Via Media

S. Schneck in Catholics in Alliance

Sameul Gregg in Acton Institute

John Allen in National Catholic Reporter (shortly before the release of the encyclical)

There is even a Facebook group for the encyclical (something good to see).