“Prominent Catholic education
leader” Sir Brother Patrick Lynch says “treat politicians with respect” (NZ
Catholic, June 3).
Sir Brother Patrick has been “sharply critical” of
Catholics who’ve had nasty things to say to or about Prime Ministers - at Mass!
- including referring to Jim Bolger as (gasp!) ‘Jim’.
Yes, Jesus Christ commands us
to treat others with respect. He does not command that we treat their
opinions – especially politicians’ opinions - with respect. Think what
a tongue-lashing he gave the politicians of his day, the Pharisees!
So may I respectfully ask, why
shouldn’t a priest lambast "Helen" (oops, isn’t that her first name?) Clark "for
her views on abortion"? Pardon me if I say that as the media start foaming at
the mouth over the likelihood of liberalising abortion, the Church needs to be
vocally very critical of 'pro-choice' politicians’ views, especially at
Mass.
Sir Brother Patrick is right to
respect gay politicians, and in schools where the faith is taught so poorly
that few parents would know – or teachers teach - that living a gay life is
sinful, it’s hardly surprising that Chris Carter “was always well received”.
Or that Catholics don't know
"the rules of the game". Only it's
not a game, it's a battle for souls, to win them for Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment