Denver, Colo., Oct 31, 2013 / 23:10 pm
The Archbishop of Denver warned that an increasing rejection of God endangers the foundations of democracy, urging Catholics to embrace the truth of the Gospel and to live it "both personally and publicly."
"When one does away with God, one embraces, whether knowingly or unknowingly, the father of lies and the evil one," Archbishop Samuel Aquila said in an Oct. 27 homily.
"If there is no truth and if there is no God that is referenced, it means that we, as human beings, are the ones who decide what is good and what is evil," he added, warning that the complete rejection of God results not in true freedom and justice, but in "dictatorship" and "totalitarianism."
His homily was delivered at the archdiocesan Red Mass, celebrated at Regis University in Denver. The Red Mass is a more than 700-year-old tradition invoking the Holy Spirit's aid for lawyers, judges, and government officials.