CNA Staff, Nov 4, 2020 / 19:29 pm
Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland discussed the meaning of suffering - and how Catholics should respond to it - in a recent video reflection.
"We've been suffering through this pandemic. We're suffering through these terrible divisions in our country and the remnants of evils, such as racism [and] social unrest. Here in Oregon, we've had these terrible wildfires," he said October 23 on his weekly video program, Chapel Chat.
"Even though we know suffering is always there, it's a little bit in our face right now more so perhaps than in the usual course of things. It's important for a Christian to understand the meaning of suffering."
Suffering is a mystery, the archbishop said, but the Christian faith helps us understand that suffering does have purpose. He said the question of how an all-good and all-powerful God can allow suffering is particularly important to answer in today's culture.