SW News: Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles in the US has dubbed the latest social justice movements in the country as pseudo religions, adding that there is a concerted movement to de-Christianize society by promoting a cancel culture as well as political correctness.

The archbishop, who is also the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, shared his reflections on de-Christianization in Europe and USA, the threat of new social justice movements and the Catholic way to counter such challenges while virtually addressing the Congress of Catholics and Public Life in Madrid, Spain, on November 4.

The prelate said that in the US as well as in many European countries, a move to bring in aggressive secularization has been active for long. He deplored the cancel culture that is gnawing at what is left of the Christian values in society especially with regard to human life, marriage and the family. The archbishop warned that the ‘space’ enjoyed by the Church in society is slowly shrinking. This has been aggravated by the spread of the Coronavirus. He said the Church
Archbishop Gomez decried the rise of what he terms an elite leadership that has no interest in religion or the local traditions or cultures. This group, he said, controls corporations, governments, universities and the media as well with the sole aim of establishing a global civilization built on the bedrock of consumerism and guided by science, technology, values and technocratic ideas about society.

However, they strive to ensure that there are no old-fashioned belief systems and religions. To be precise, Christianity is a stumbling block in the way of the new society they aspire to create, said the Archbishop of Los Angeles.

The prelate said the Church should view the new social justice movements in the US as nothing but rivals to traditional Christian beliefs. He elaborated saying such movements – social justice, identity politics, intersectionality, successor ideology—claim to offer what Christianity provides. In other words, they try to tell their own narrative of salvation that is contrary to the Christian concept that all people are created in the image of God and are called to a blessed life in union with the Creator, said Archbishop Gomez.

He added that sins alienate mankind from God. But the passion and death of Christ reconcile mankind with God. But unfortunately, there is a rival salvation story told by the media and other social justice movements that say that the cause of unhappiness is because people are victims of oppression by other groups. By waging a war for cultural and political clout, people can get liberation and redemption, said the archbishop.

The prelate warned that efforts to build a just society based on freedom, equality and dignity of each person will only achieve fruition only if society is founded on the truth about God and human nature. He went on to say that this has been the constant teaching of the Church and popes for almost two centuries.
Archbishop Gomez also cited Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who had once warned about the eclipse of God that hides the human person as well. He also quoted Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti in which the pontiff says that unless one believes that God is our father, it is not possible to treat others as brothers and sisters.

The archbishop compared the new ideologies and social justice movements to the ancient Manicheans, who saw the world as a struggle between good and evil, and the Gnostics, who reject creation and the body. In short, he blames them for believing that they can create a kind of heaven on earth through their efforts.

Finally, the prelate concluded his address by revealing the antidote for all such threats plaguing Western society. The only solution is the bold proclamation of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. The Church’s mission is to tell the story of salvation with charity and confidence. “We should not be intimidated by these new religions of social justice and political identity. The Gospel remains the most powerful force for social change that the world has ever seen. And the Church has been “antiracist” from the beginning. All are included in her message of salvation,” said Archbishop Gomez.

He said the Gospel is the true path to liberation and an antidote to slavery. The prelate also said that the Church must be a voice for individual conscience and tolerance.