For Those Longing for Freedom and Truth

"Let us ask ourselves whether we do not at times relativize the truths of faith even as we absolutize the ideologies of this world. It is with the Gospel that we must judge the world, never accommodating the message of Christ to the opinions of the day."

"Freedom does not mean the right to do whatever one wants. Freedom is not license! Whoever turns freedom into license has already dealt it a mortal blow. The free person is bound to the truth; otherwise their freedom has no more permanence than a lovely dream that vanishes on waking. The person does not owe their existence to themself, but is a creature of God."

"The call for a sincere gift of self is the fullest way to realize our personal freedom."

"The maturing process of the person must be fostered; persons must be helped to develop their social, cultural, moral and religious dimensions through the proper use of freedom."

"The overall formation of the human personality must lead to integral growth in its relations with the world, with others and especially with God. He alone is good (cf. Mt. 19:17)."

"The Gospel is demanding and binding. Nevertheless Jesus allowed no compromises."

"The acceptance of faith has an immediate impact on the moral conduct of the believer."

"There is no doubt that following Christ is no easy undertaking. Indeed, Christian ethics point to an arduous path, and invite us to enter by the narrow gate, the one that alone leads to true life."

"Truth is not always easy: its affirmation is sometimes quite demanding. Nevertheless, it must always be respected in human communication and human relations."

"‘Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear and many choose to travel it.’" (Mt. 7:13 ) What is the ‘wide gate,’ what is the ‘clear road’ of which Jesus speaks? It is the gate of moral autonomy, it is the road of intellectual pride; how many, even Christians, live in indifference, adopting a worldly outlook and giving in to the allurements of sin!"

"Freedom is and remains such only when it is combined with responsibility and achieved through it. And responsibility can ultimately be owed only to the one who is the guarantor of true freedom: God himself."