I had the pleasure of seeing him in person at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston, Ont., when he delivered a lecture March 14 for the 11th annual John Fisher Dinner, hosted by Newman House Catholic Chaplaincy and Catholic Christian Outreach. With over 400 attendees, the prelate from Guinea inspired many that night, myself included.
After reading his book, The Power of Silence, it was exciting to be in the same room as someone who worked under Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Fr. Raymond de Souza, chaplain of Newman House at Queen’s University, said it best when he introduced the cardinal that night: “Archbishop Sarah at the time, stood up for the truth of the faith against a communist dictatorship. For that courageous witness, he was scheduled for assassination by the dictator of his country.”
Sarah is living proof that standing up for the truths and doctrines of the Church is difficult, but gives hope in cultures that go against the teaching of the Magisterium.
He stood up for religious freedom and turned away from the communist dictatorship in his native country, and battles against the evils of Western civilization in today’s culture. It gives me courage to also stand up for my faith.
Before attending his talk, I knew that Sarah was an advocate for receiving the Eucharist kneeling and on the tongue. Though there has been controversy among some, I agree with Sarah on this and many other issues he is bringing to the attention of Catholics today.
Sarah has a reputation for being immovable in his principles. By coming to St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto for a lecture March 12 and the John Fisher Dinner in Kingston two days later, his presence showed that the Catholic Church is truly universal.
Sarah quotes Church doctrine and promotes Magisterium teaching, something we as Catholics need to be reminded of and fight for in today’s culture. We need to go against the normalized lobby groups advocating for gender politics, same-sex unions, right to die and abortion. Some may think Sarah is being too bold or harsh, but I agree with the powerful distinctions he makes.
One of Sarah’s main points from the dinner was to abide by God’s laws and grow in virtue because “virtue crowns law with beauty.”
“Growth in virtue that is thoroughly formative according to God’s Law is necessary for us to be effective witnesses to Him as missionary disciples,” he said.
My biggest takeaway from his talk was the need for silence so that we can build a relationship with Christ. We need silence to listen to God and learn how He speaks to us. This helps us build trust in the Lord and His Providence.
(Sifert, 21, is a third-year student at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in Barry’s Bay, Ont.)