NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      DENVER 19 (NE) Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver recently urged Catholics in his archdiocese to cultivate a regular devotion to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Answering questions related to his new Pastoral Letter "River of Mercy", on conscience, reconciliation and the Great Jubilee, Archbishop Chaput highlighted as well that the authority of the Church comes from "the mandate of Jesus and from the Holy Spirit."

      In relation to the sacrament of Penance, Archbishop Chaput highlighted the need to "actively cultivate a healthy, regular devotion to the Sacrament of Reconciliation." "It's important to prepare well for confession with a prayerful, thorough examination of conscience, because by remembering and acknowledging our sins, we conduct a kind of personal "reality check." We see honestly who we are; we understand our guilt and our need for forgiveness based on the objective evidence of our sins; and through this, God turns us toward repentance and His reconciling love. Reconciliation is what the sacrament brings about. Its fruit is joy, not fear," he remarked.

      Answering some questions about the authority of the Church, the Archbishop of Denver stated that her authority comes from the mandate of Jesus and from the Holy Spirit. "That's more than enough to warrant our trust when it comes to matters of faith and morals. We don't invent truth. It exists whether we find it convenient or not." He added as well that "a healthy conscience will seek the truth and receive it eagerly once found. But because we're sinners, our reason and will are wounded. Our ability to see the truth is often dimmed. We need help, which is why a right conscience is never autonomous. It grows and matures in community, educated by others who pass along the truth."