Justice Scalia tells young Catholics not to fear scorn for their beliefs

by Ben Johnson

DENVER, COLORADO, March 7, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – The longest-serving member of the Supreme Court, Antonin Scalia, encouraged a packed gathering of Roman Catholics not to yield to criticism of their faith. His message was a comfort and encouragement particularly to life and family activists who feel the sting of public scorn on the front lines of the culture war.

Scalia told the 500 participants in Denver’s Living the Catholic Faith Conference scoffers may ridicule their belief in the transcendent, their recitation of the rosary, or their devotion to the pope. But Christianity is worth the scorn.

Have “the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity,” Justice Scalia said. “The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.”

Scalia’s message is one that would be taken to heart by the young, celibate activists who travel with TFP Student Action. The young men travel the nation’s college campuses affirming traditional morality, opposing abortion and “homosexuality,” and spreading devotion to St. Michael the Archangel and the Virgin Mary.

About 10 members protested on the campus of the University of Michigan on Tuesday.

Belittling comments are frequent one of the college-aged activists, Zachariah, told LifeSiteNews.com.

Another, Charles, said passersby – some of whom insist they are Catholics – use foul language or demeaning stereotypes.

On rare occasion, someone becomes physically violent.

“The biggest issues are God and moral absolutes,” Charles told LifeSiteNews. “Most people believe in relativism.”

“The world is dark,” Zachariah said. “It needs the Catholic Church.”