Abp. Carlson: Despite economy, we must focus on giving hope

Submitted on June 12, 2009

Joseph Kenny

With the jobless rate at its highest point in 36 years, the Church should focus on providing hope for people, Archbishop Robert Carlson said.

Interviewed in Saginaw, Mich., where he led a diocese that has seen years of job losses, Archbishop Carlson said “the be-all-and-end-all of who we are isn’t that we do or don’t have a job or that we’re successful or not successful. It’s faith.”

That perspective needs to be shared with people as well as giving them the help they need to survive in challenging situations, he said.

He underlined the importance of helping people.

“It’s kind of like when I started the Mother Teresa Fund (in Saginaw). You tell women they should bring their baby into the world. That’s great, but you have to help them so they can do it. We help them get in touch with all the social services and then take care of what isn’t available.”