Scotland: Cardinal says abortion is worse than Dunblane (refers to 1996 massacre of 16 children)

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | May 31, 2007 | Kate Devlin

[Stoat]

Cardinal says abortion is worse than Dunblane

By Kate Devlin, Scottish Political Correspondent
 

Last Updated: 6:54pm BST 31/05/2007

 

 

The leader of Scotland's Catholics compared the abortion rate to "two Dunblane massacres a day" today as he warned politicians who support terminations they would be barred from taking communion.

	Cardinal Keith O'Brien's sermon marks the anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act

Cardinal Keith O'Brien used a sermon to mark the 40th anniversary of the Abortion Act to fiercely criticise Catholic MPs who disagree with the church's stance on the issue.

In a strongly worded attack he also called on Catholic voters to reject politicians who did not fight to overturn abortion laws.

During a sermon at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh, Cardinal O'Brien said Catholic politicians should stop co-operating with an "unspeakable crime" and warned of "the barrier such co-operation erects to receiving Holy Communion".

After the service the Cardinal, who last year met Tony Blair to press for a reconsideration of the current laws, said that the number of abortions north of the border was the equivalent of "two Dunblane massacres a day".

His comments provoked a furious response from politicians who accused the Cardinal of trying to disrupt the democratic process.

Jim Devine, the Labour MP for Livingston, said that the Cardinal's comments were an "affront to democracy".

He said: "He has the right to comment on these issues but to be telling practising Catholics that if they disagree with the church on abortion then they can't receive communion is an affront to democracy.

He added: "Abortion is not the issue. This could be about nuclear weapons or Iraq or anything where the Catholic church has a view. To tell practising Catholics how to vote is unacceptable."

His "emotive" language was unhelpful, he added.

Jeremy Purvis, a Liberal Democrat member of the Scottish Parliament, said it was "very unfortunate" that the Cardinal had chosen to use "extreme and provocative language" and a "hectoring and bullying tone against MSPs and MPs who every day balance their own consciences against what they think are the best interests of their constituents."

But other politicians said the Cardinal's comments on communion were just a restatement of church policy.

Michael McMahon, a Labour MSP, said: "The Pope made this announcement when he visited Brazil some months ago, and all the Cardinal is doing is reiterating the position of the Catholic Church."

A spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland said that the Cardinal was placing the "moral" decision on whether to take communion on the individual. But he added: "It is certainly a warning not to turn up for the Eucharist."

The row comes days after figures showed that the number of abortions carried out in Scotland is continuing to rise, with more than 13,000 terminations being carried out a year.

The Catholic Church has a significant sway on voters in the west of Scotland, where much of Labour's stronghold is based north of the border.

Earlier this year the Prime Minister announced that Catholic adoption agencies would be given extra time to comply with new equality legislation which requires them to offer their services to gay couples.

This evening the Scottish Executive refused to comment on the Cardinal's remarks and said that the Abortion Act was reserved to Westminster.

[Stoat]

Background on the Dunblane school massacre:

Dunblane Massacre 1990-1999 Guardian Century

"Gunman mows down class of children leaving 16 dead with their teacher "

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From the posted article:

"To tell practising Catholics how to vote is unacceptable."

What a breathtakingly Fascistic statement, and of course it's being couched in the language of "protecting Democracy".

I suppose it's only acceptable for Socialist politicians to tell Catholics how to vote?

Thank God that Scotland has Cardinal O'Brien working on behalf of the unborn, and may his strength and conviction never waver.

[Stoat]

Catholic Ping   :-)

 

 

 

[wideawake]

Whoah.

Stern truths from a European cardinal.

I'm impressed.

[Stoat]

Ping :-)

[Stoat]

Whoah.

Stern truths from a European cardinal.

I'm impressed.

Indeed....Cardinal O'Brien's words are a breath of fresh air.

Whoah.

Stern truths from a European cardinal.

I'm impressed.

[ElkGroveDan]

We a hearing this message more and more. Hopefully the more public pronouncements like this will give courage to more of them to step forward and tell it like it is.

[padre35]

It would seem that people who do the wrong thing hate anyone who reminds them that what they are doing is wrong....

[kjo]

‘Bout time someone in the Church said that they ought to enforce their own rules.

Teddy Kennedy and other “Catholics” should never receive communion again.

[utherdoul]

That has to be one of the bravest statements I’ve heard in a long while. He should be careful, if a muslim doesn’t get him then I’m sure some leftist will make the attempt.

If only more people had the balls (pardon the expression father) to make these kinds of statements our world would be a much better place.

[Zakeet]

The Cardinal's exactly correct!

Unfortunately, few realize that we commit another 9/11 almost every day in the killing centers around this country.

We all need to be far more active in supporting people like this church leader, and in condemning those who advocate baby killing.

[JohnnyZ]

O'Brien has been a very pleasant surprise in a lot of ways.

His elevation was kind of shocking because he had a reputation as a lib.

[r9etb]

He added: "Abortion is not the issue. This could be about nuclear weapons or Iraq or anything where the Catholic church has a view. To tell practising Catholics how to vote is unacceptable."

Red herring #1: it's not about nuclear weapons or Iraq or anything else. It is precisely about abortion.

Red herring #2: The idea that churches or representatives thereof have no right to express opinions about political issues of the day.

It's almost certain the guy is lying when he says abortion is "not the issue." Of course it's the issue -- one suspects he would be very pleased, for example, if the Catholic church came out against nuclear weapons or the Iraq war.

[KenmcG414]

Dear Pope,
I respectfully request that Cardinal O’Brien be transferred to the USA and that he serve in Washington DC or NYC so that he can be on the front lines in the war on abortion.

[cpforlife.org]

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.

[Stoat]

To All:

The Cardinal's sermon ended up being stronger than what was originally planned.  This article from yesterday suggests that the sermon's strongest language was intended to be that the Abortion Act was a "pack of lies"

1967 Abortion Act a 'Pack of Lies' claims Scottish Cardinal

1967 Abortion Act a 'Pack of Lies' claims Scottish Cardinal

In a strongly worded sermon to be delivered this Thursday afternoon at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh, Cardinal Keith O'Brien will say that the claims and assurances made at the time of the passing of the 1967 Abortion Act were no more than a "pack of lies".

 

Posted: Wednesday, May 30, 2007, 9:23 (BST)

 

In a strongly worded sermon to be delivered this Thursday afternoon at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh, Cardinal Keith O'Brien will say that the claims and assurances made at the time of the passing of the 1967 Abortion Act were no more than a "pack of lies".

He will add that the assurances amounted to "lies and misinformation masquerading as compassion and truth".

Cardinal O'Brien's words come as the 40th anniversary of the act approaches and are timed to coincide with the Catholic Church's "Day for Life" on 31 May, running this year under the theme "Blessed is the fruit of your womb".

The Scottish Day for Life falls on The Feast of the Visitation which marks the journey by Mary who went to visit her cousin Elizabeth at the same time she was expecting a child. At their meeting, John the Baptist, the child in Elizabeth's womb leapt for joy, and Elizabeth cried out: "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb."

The day will be marked in Scotland's 500 Catholic parishes who have been sent 250,000 leaflets expanding on the theme and explaining the church's opposition to abortion and providing details of alternatives.

In a letter which accompanies the material sent to parishes, Archbishop Mario Conti urged every parish in Scotland to "take the opportunity to remind people that it is 40 years since the Abortion Act was passed into law". He added that people should be encouraged to "pray for legislation to protect the unborn child from the moment of conception".

In his sermon on Thursday, Cardinal O'Brien will also call on Catholic politicians to avoid "cooperating in the unspeakable crime of abortion", reminding them of "the barrier such cooperation erects to receiving Holy Communion".

[wideawake]

Jim Devine, the Labour MP for Livingston, said that the Cardinal's comments were an "affront to democracy".

This is precisely the lying line taken by the Gang of 18 apostates in the USA.

Is the Cardinal not a citizen? Is he not entitled to his opinions? Does he not possess freedom of speech? Is it contrary to the nature or purpose of a parliamentary democracy for a constituent to publicly express his views?

[Kuksool]

{Jim Devine, the Labour MP for Livingston, said that the Cardinal’s comments were an “affront to democracy”.}

Funny, liberals have no problem when religious folks combat global warming and poverty.

[Stoat]

Thank you for pinging your list   :-)

[Patriotic1]

A Catholic Cardinal frankly stating Catholic opinion? What is this world coming to? Let the criticism being!

[MHGinTN]

Ditto that!