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Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Enough of that "Devout Catholic" Martin stuff
Bishop Fred Henry of Calgary will release a pastoral letter this weekend outlining the obligations of Catholic politicians. Paul Martin doesn't meet them. Bishop Henry says:
In much of the secular media Prime Minister Paul Martin is frequently described as a “devout Catholic.” However, his recently clarified position re abortion and same sex unions is a source of scandal in the Catholic community and reflects a fundamental moral incoherence.The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith offered guidance relative to the role religious faith should play in the ‘public square’ or in the governing of modern democratic society in its “Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (November 24, 2002).
The Note is a reminder to Catholic politicians of their duty to be morally coherent: “There cannot be two parallel lives in their existence: on the one hand the so-called ‘spiritual life,’ with its values and demands; and on the other, the so-called ‘secular’ life, that is, life in family, at work .... in the responsibilities of public life and in culture.” (Note, 6)
Oh, but Mr. Martin would say, there are rights at stake, so my Catholicism must be put aside. To which Bishop Henry says,
"Rights are rooted in the dignity of the human person, a dignity bestowed upon the human person by God. From this perspective there is no right to have an abortion. No Catholic can responsibly take a ‘pro-choice’ stand when the ‘choice’ in question involves the taking of innocent life. Nor is there a right of couples in same sex unions to marry. One cannot invent a meaning of sexuality to suit one’s own wishes or tastes. Marriage is a union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."
The media only refers to politicians as devout Catholics whenever they are doing something unCatholic, advocating positions contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church on abortion or homosexuality. No doubt that J-Lo married Mark Anthony because, as a devout, twice-divorced Catholic, she didn't want her unborn child born a bastard.
Posted by Paul Tuns on June 8, 2004 in Canadian Politics | Permalink
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Comments
Is it any surprise though? Devout evangelical Christians have been demonized by these people for years: this is completely consistent with their take on Christianity.
Posted by: Kelvin | 2004-06-08 8:40:17 PM
Finally! A bishop with nuggets!
Sounds like the pastor vs the poser. And I think in this case the pastor is winning.
Posted by: Owen | 2004-06-09 7:10:12 AM
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