Quotes by Cardinal Thuan - The Church

The following quotes are from Cardinal Thuan's book The Road to Hope. You can read more about it on an earlier post found here

"A person who really loves the Church does not seek to destroy it."

"Do not be surprised when people seek to destroy the Church. They seek to kill Christ again, but since they cannot do so, they seek to destroy the Church which is the Body of Christ."

"There are many people who criticize the organization of the Roman Curia. I would agree with them that the Roman Curia is not perfect, but I would ask them whether their own government is any better. Besides, one must distinguish between the Curia, which is only a human organ of the Church, and the Church itself, the Body of Christ."

"Love the Church. Obey the Church. Be loyal to the Church. Pray for the Church."

"You say that you would never turn against the Church, but you do not hesitate to oppose the representatives of the Church. If this is how you think, you are playing games!"

"There are various kinds of believers; there are those who merely make sure of the Church, there are those who are Catholic in name only, there are the opportunists, and there are the honorary Catholics who are looking for status. The Lord desires those who accept him unconditionally:" "They left everything and followed him" (Lk 5:11)

"During the last two thousand years, the Church as been betrayed by apostles, popes, cardinals, bishops, priests, religious, and lay people in the extraordinary ways which Paul VI called 'self-destruction'. However, after each of these upheavals, the Church has renewed itself [sic] and become ever more fresh and brilliant and strong. The Church continues to live the mystery of the passion and resurrection."

"Be ready to sacrifice for the Church and through the Church."

"Everyone in the Church is called, indeed has the duty, to become holy. If you are not leading a holy life, you should not presume to reform the Church, 'I want you to know that no one speaking under the influence of the Go's Spirit can say, 'Cursed be Jesus!' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord!' except under the influence of the Holy Spirit'" (1 Cor 12:3).