Posted on GDP: Catholic website has "Catholic Hall of Shame"...

[47of74]

I saw this come up in the general discussion page a few moments ago;

Catholic website has "Catholic Hall of Shame". Those who voted against Stupak's amendment.

[Matilda]

1. This situation mirrors one we experienced in 2007 in New South Wales,

leading up to the parliamentary vote on stem cell research.

The Cardinal Archbishop, George Pell, issued a thinly-veiled threat to Catholic MPs who supported the bill - the
inference was that the Sacraments might be withdrawn if those MPs didn't toe the Catholic line. He was told in no
uncertain terms to butt out of politics, and one MP (I forget who it was) said publicly that he had been elected
to represent all his constituents, Catholic and non-Catholic, and would make his decision based on what he thought
was best for everybody. I thought that was the best possible answer, and one that the Church should bear in mind
whenever it's tempted to meddle with the political process.

The Anglicans, who are extremely conservative in N.S.W., were also banging their drum very loudly, as were the
fundies.

In the end, a conscience vote was allowed on the bill, and it passed through both houses.

I think the Church has every right to put its point across to the public on any issue it chooses, but no right at
all to threaten or try to intimidate politicians. Politicians are also entitled to follow their conscience, but
those who simply cave in to pressure instead of considering what is best for all may not be in the right job.

[47of74]

2. If the church's current methods really worked...

...Italy would still be a collection of states rather than one unified nation, and the Pope would still be the ruler of about the middle third of the peninsula.