As I’ve mentioned recently, I’m struggling with matters of faith and the Catholic Church.
I was greatly fortified recently to read that the Church has officially stated that the Bible should not be interpreted literally. (Are you listening, my creationist friends? Genesis is just a nice story, not an accurate account of historic events.) Wow, I thought, who knew? The Church may be modernizing its thinking after all.
Then I read today that the Church is considering to refuse communion to state leaders of countries who condone abortion or gay rights – like Canadian prime minister Paul Martin. Now, I’m far from being a Paul Martin supporter (although I do believe he’s better than the alternative), but this to me is an outrageous act of blackmail on the part of the Church. No government leader should be religiously censured for the laws of their country.
Martin’s response? “I believe in the Charter of Rights, and I do not believe that the prime minister of the country can cherry pick those rights.”
Bravo.
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Don’t forget the part where the Pope said recently that even celibate gays would not be allowed into the priesthood.
Yup, I am there with you. Having recently saved my daughter from eternal damnation through baptism, I am struggling with my Cathloic upbringing and my current crisis of faith.
I am also struggling with wearing my Liberal colours in public. And then something like this happens and I want to pain my face red. I love Martin today.
Good god, I cannot imagine an American head of state making such a brave pronouncement. Colour me red with jealousy.
Wow!!! Who would think he’d say something (gulp) admirable?
Way to go Paul! I agree that he is the best of the choices we have. As I always say, “the lesser of two evils” when I describe our current leader.
Anna – surprised and shocked!
How progressive!
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