On the occasion of the publication of his book “Evening Draws Near and the Day is Nearly Over” Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has given an interview to Atlantico.

The crisis of the Church is the crisis of the West

I could be wrong, but I do not distinguish the West from the Church. The West is Christian, it was shaped by Christianity. The crisis of the Church is also the crisis of the West. We cannot logically separate one from the other. As an African, I believe the West was created by Christianity, even if the West rejects its Christian roots today. In any case, you cannot deny your culture, what you are. Your art and music - it is all Christian. Both influence each other. The West did not pop out of thin air.

The essence of freedom

The essence of freedom has been lost. Freedom does not mean indulging all your desires and instincts. Freedom means searching for truth and prosperity for all, not just yourself. Stating your own freedom is not enroaching on the freedom of others. On the contrary, my freedom obliges me to build relationships in which I respect others. When you are driving a car, your freedom is restricted by the red light. Disregard it and you will run people over. No freedom can be absolute. Any freedom is restricted. In this regard the natural law is not an obstacle: this is simply our nature.

Cardinal Robert Sarah

Photo: Edward Pentin

The denial of identity

I am worried by the West’s denial of its identity. Not only we are unable to explain to others who we are, but we also don’t know it ourselves anymore. I think the West can disappear if it forgets its Christian roots. The barbarians are already here, in its territory. They will impose their culture, religion and views on people and morality if the West softens and feels scared of opposing them.

Cardinal Robert Sarah

Photo: La Stampa

That death of the West can lead to the death of humankind. The West was given the Divine Revelation through apostles Peter and Paul. It changed the humankind and the man. In ancient Rome people killed each other and threw others to lions to devour. There was slavery. Many priests said it was wrong and the West became the first to give it up. If the West disappears because of destruction of its roots, there will be horrible changes in the world.

Happiness is God, not imitation of God

God did not make us immortal. Only our soul is immortal and all that is material is finite. To go against it is to desire to become God-like. It is an illusion. Even if we can make such immortal, invincible people on the Earth, what will they do with immortality? Our happiness is God, not imitation of God.