Friday 20 March 2009

Demob Happy

Why couldn't he have said anything like this years ago?

Sir, I was appalled at the tasteless cartoon depicting Pope Benedict XVI. No newspaper should show such disrespect to a person who is held in high esteem by a large proportion of Christians in the world. To pillory the Pope in this way is totally unacceptable. As to what Pope Benedict said, it would be wiser for people to look at the issues that he was raising in his remarks. It is certainly true that the widespread distribution of condoms can run the risk of greater promiscuity and that the best way to combat the Aids epidemic is by healthcare, education and fidelity in married life. Even if people do not accept the Church’s teaching in this matter, it is a well-known fact that the greatest contribution to health care for those living with Aids in Africa is given by the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor

Archbishop of Westminster

2 comments:

  1. Well probably his retirement HAS got something to do with it.
    But as I understand it he needs the permission of the Pope to serve in a legislature (The House of Lords).
    Hate to be cynical but I would imagine that has something to do with it.
    Or is it just a question of trying to influence the succession as the Pope might bedoing some "blue sky thinking" in relation to the three named people.

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  2. I'm not sure that anyone is doing any thinking, blue skies or otherwise, about the Westminster succession, it has now rumbled on for so long.

    But yes, he would need a dispensation in order to accept a peerage. If the Pope is in the mood to grant one, then perhaps he should be looking to grant it to someone more in tune?

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