Wisdom from the pope this feast day, via CNS:

ROME (CNS) -- The church should fear the sin of its own members more than hatred against Christians, Pope Benedict XVI said.While the church has suffered from persecution throughout its history, it "is supported by the light and strength of God" and will always end up victorious, he said.Overcoming trials and outside threats shows how the Christian community "is the presence, the guarantee of God's love against all ideologies of hatred and selfishness," he said on the feast of the Immaculate Conception."The only danger the church can and should fear is the sin of her members," the pope said.

David Gibson is the director of Fordham’s Center on Religion & Culture.

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