In the daily exercise of our apostolic ministry, we are often offended
when we learn what certain people are saying, who are filled with
religious zeal yet lack correct judgment and level-headedness in their
way of seeing things. They see only ruins and calamities in society's
present situation. They are used to saying that our day and age has
worsened profoundly in comparison with past centuries. They behave as if history, which is the teacher of life, had nothing to teach
them and as if at the time of past Councils, everything had been perfect
where Christian doctrine, customs and the Church's just freedom were
concerned.
It seems to us that we must state our complete disagreement with the
prophets of misfortune, who always announce catastrophes as if the world
were close to its end.
In the present course of events when society seems to be at a turning
point, it is better to acknowledge the mysterious plans of divine
Providence which, through the succession of times and the work of human
beings and most of the time against all expectations, reach their goal
and arrange everything with wisdom for the good of the Church, even the
events that are in opposition to it.
--Pope John XXIII
Taken from The Catholic Breadbox
