London Cardinal responds to U.K.’s new “intolerant” gay-rights laws

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Archbishop of Westminster says new legislation discriminates against religious believers

Comments: 26

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor

London, England, Mar 30, 2007 / 11:01 am (CNA).- In his first major response to the passage of a new “anti-discrimination” law in the United Kingdom, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said he feared the Labour Party has turned to "legislating for intolerance" in a speech on Wednesday.

The Cardinal was referring to the recently approved Sexual Orientation Regulations during Thirtieth Thomas Corbishley Memorial Lecture, which he delivered on “The Kingdom of God and this World: the Church in Public Life” at Westminster Cathedral.

The government is imposing the recently approved Sexual Orientation Regulations on all public agencies and businesses, including those run by church groups. The new regulations, which become effective next month, require church-based adoption agencies to place children with homosexual couples. No exemptions have been given to faith-based groups.

"My fear is that, under the guise of legislating for what is said to be tolerance, we are legislating for intolerance. Once this begins, it is hard to see where it ends,” the Cardinal stated.

"The question," the Cardinal added, "is whether the threads holding together pluralist democracy have begun to unravel. That is why I have sounded this note of alarm.”

The Cardinal has warned that he may have to close nine Catholic adoption agencies if they are not exempted from the regulations.

"For my own part, I have no difficulty in being a proud British Catholic citizen. But now it seems to me we are being asked to accept a different version of our democracy, one in which diversity and equality are held to be at odds with religion,” he stated.

"We Catholics - and here I am sure I speak too for other Christians and all people of faith - do not demand special privileges, but we do demand our rights,” he continued. “We come not to impose, but to serve, according to our beliefs; and to be given the freedom and support to do so, as long as these do not undermine the rights and freedoms of others.

"I begin to wonder whether Britain will continue to be a place which protects and welcomes the works of people shaped and inspired by the church."

The Cardinal said he fears intolerance of Christianity. "So when Christians stand by their beliefs, they are intolerant dogmatists. When they sin, they are hypocrites,” he said. "When they take the side of the poor, they are soft-headed liberals. When they seek to defend the family, they are right-wing reactionaries."

He added: "What looks like liberality is in reality a radical exclusion of religion from the public sphere."

“Speaking as a Catholic Christian, as a bishop and a citizen of our great British democracy,” said the Cardinal, “I want to appeal for the freedom to believe and the freedom to serve the common good according to the convictions of our faith. For it is in the nature of who we Christians are to serve society, to be recognized by the sign of love, and to discover for ourselves and lead others to discover the inviolable dignity of every human person.”

“The Church,” he continued, “claims only its legitimate part in the political process – to assist the very reasoning which is fundamental to the pursuit of justice. The Church’s task is not to propose technical solutions to questions of governance or economic activity, but to help to form a social culture based on justice, solidarity and truth, for the common good.”

Comments: 26

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Pat V
USA 04/06/2007 07:05 PM EST

So much conflict, even among ourselves who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. Let me add one thought that was only briefly mentioned by George Angel --"PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!" These are Our Lady's words to us. She has told us so many times that we are in a spiritual warfare, and the solution will not come from politicians. The solution is to convert OUR OWN lives, to return to the Sacraments, esp Confession and the Eucharist, to FAST and to PRAY. She said at Fatima that "many souls go to HELL (yes, it does exist!) because there is no one to pray and make sacrifices (fasting,etc) for them." Try making sacrifices, make reparation for our own sins and the sins of the world at least one day a week. Consecrate yourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Live in the present moment in GOD'S will and try to let go of your own will. Refrain from sin. Listyen to the teachings of the magisterium, and stop trying to one-up the Church in making moral decisions. THEN, AND ONLY THEN will we see a turn around in the world. Catholics MUST begin to act and live as Catholics, and not as heretics.

Published by: Michael T
Farley, Iowa, USA 04/03/2007 10:29 AM EST

Who's rights are being limited? I would suggest that the governments of the E.U. and Canada (possibly soon the U.S.A) are making it a hate crime for Priests and others to verbally admonish and teach their congregations what they believe to be true. FREE SPEECH MAY SOON BE LOST so enjoy our debates while they last.

The biblical response to homosexuality is VERY clear such as in the book of Romans 1:26-28 (.. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God handed them over to their undiscerning mind to do what is improper.."

As far as my knowledge of Islam, I say that I am aware that the demographics suggest that they are more open to life than the average Christian. In the context of our debate,it is only reasonable and logical to assume that demographically at the very least Christian culture is at risk. If you truly are a mathematician, add it up. However, man cannot reduce the world around us to mere function. We, as human beings are spiritual beings. We are not just two-footed animals as Satanism suggests. The Malthusian theories are continually discredited in light of the facts. The economic problems our societies face are a result of the forces of Monopoly and Resource Centralization.

Published by: John Healy
Washington, DC 04/03/2007 12:16 AM EST

I find it amazing how much energy is spent by Christians trying to limit the rights of homosexuals. The Biblical basis of this position is tenuous at best.

Rosalie: I have a Ph.D. in mathematical statistics and haved taken several courses related to logic. It is hard to interpret Deacon John's statements any other way.

Michael T.: Do you have any understanding of Islam?

Published by: Ken
London,UK 04/01/2007 10:29 PM EST

The Cardinal has not been very consistent in his opposition to restriction of freedom of religion by the homosexual lobby. By several accounts he has been allowing Catholic adoption agencies to actually hand children over to homosexuals. He has dismayed many catholics by arranging special Masses for militant homosexuals.His 'pastoral care' for this group is in stark contrast to the pastoral care shown to Catholics who suffer from the liturgical abuses that are endemic in his diocese.

Published by: Pennie Sutton
Green Forest, AR USA 04/01/2007 07:48 PM EST

Lord knows that no one is ready for the major purification that is ahead of us,not even the most devout Christian who has nothing to fear.--And I don't see myself to be one of them.But this sinful mess we have gotten ourselves into is too deeply entrenched.A supernatural intervention is the only thing that's going to turn things around.

Published by: Brian
Indianapolis, IN, USA 04/01/2007 05:34 PM EST

Unfortunately, one matter is being lost here. I've been around the 'net enough to know how such people think. They don't view themselves as minions of the antichrist. Rather, they view themselves as civil-rights activists. It really would be better to help them view human dignity under God? I believe that we need another Mother Theresa, not another gruesome demagogue like Fred Phelps.

Published by: Emily
CT, USA 04/01/2007 03:45 PM EST

I would tend to agree with Deacon John. Old Testament scripture evidences time and again, how God chastens his people by handing them over to their enemies. In our times, one of our most significant 'enemies' would be considered Moslems. The very culture of death and its consequential low birth rates are resulting in the influx of Moslems into Europe at a rate that anticipates (given their pro-life procreation rates) a majority position in some nations within 10 years. Blessed be God forever.

Published by: Terry
uk 04/01/2007 02:27 PM EST

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor is right and I believe most Christians would agree with him.
Homosexuality is morally wrong according to the Holy Bible. Catholics and Christians as a whole are not trying to abuse those who choose homosexuality but what we are saying is that it most certainly is contributing to terrible moral decay in our society.
Further, the law is abusing the rights of the Catholic Church in refusing to allow exemptions of Catholic adoption agencies to refuse adoptions to homosexual couples. The Church should be permitted an exemption on moral grounds. It cannot be expected to abide by a law which is totally contrary to it's Biblically held religious beliefs.

Published by: George R. Kadlec
L'Anse,MI 04/01/2007 02:07 PM EST

The coming death of the west is apparent to anyone with a little common sense. We are aborting and contracepting ourselves out of existence. All these things have one thing in common - moral decay of which acceptance of perversions such as abortion, homosexuality,etc. lead the way. The Russians, Italians, French, English, Canadians, etc. will be essentialy gone in 50 to 75 years.

Published by: pauline
Toronto, ON., Canada 04/01/2007 01:55 PM EST

Christians in the U.K. have a lot of work to do. You must unite in prayer first of all, and become involved politically. Remember you all have a vote. You can make your voices heard. Don't sit back and do nothing.

I think it was Edmund Burke who said,"All that is needed for evil to flourish, is that good men do nothing"!

In Canada, under the Charter of Rights an Freedoms, we have the right to freedom of religion, but if you have been reading the newspapers, any religious rights are in the process of being completely eroded by the homosexualists.

Christians have a battle on their hands, but remember, we win the war!!

Published by: thomas warner, M.D.
madison,wi,usa 04/01/2007 01:43 PM EST

Many years ago Cardinal Hume declared the UK a post-Christian society.The passage of this new anti-discrimination law has,albeit retrospectively , proved his point. Cardinal Murphy O'Connor has every right to be concerned.

Published by: Maria
Canada 04/01/2007 12:58 PM EST

Why should we be surprised by the intolerance attitude toward Christians. Our Lord and the Blessed Mother have prophesied of a one world religion coming and the anitchirst, watch out! It is just a matter of time before Christ returns. Pray pray pray remember The Lord Chirst will be victorious. Praise be to Jesus Chirst!

Published by: Michael Sicsko
Kenvil, NJ USA 04/01/2007 12:04 PM EST

Sadly this is not only a British problem but we see the same thing happening throughout the world. The U.S., Canada, many other European countries, including Italy, the E.U., and every democratic country in the world is under attack. And countries like Poland and Japan who resist to conform to their ideology are persecuted.

Because we are a democracy, we are vulnerable. The true responsibility for this calamity is Communism. Stalin warned us that he would conquer us from within.

In the 1950's they started infiltrating our schools, the news and entertainment media, our religions, our politics, and our financial institutions. Today they have a foot-hold in every major influence of our lives.

Communism has aligned itself with the greedy rich, who seek to rule the world, the poor deviates who would impose their lifestyles on all humanity, and the haughty intellectuals who seek to control the direction of the world. Communism's ultimate goal is to remove the name of God and Jesus Christ from the face of the earth.

At this hour and time, confusion reigns supreme. We are blinded by the temptations and pleasures of the world. We are bullied into submission by our leaders. We look to our faith for direction and courage, but we find none. So we look to the messages of Lourdes, Fatima, Medjugorje, and from St. Faustina. And we see that we must pray and fast. Satan is winning this battle because we have succumbed to the pleasures of the world and have ceased to glorify God.

Published by: Rosalie Dancause
Dumfries, VA, USA 04/01/2007 11:41 AM EST

John Healy,
You need to go back and read Deacon Bresnahan's statement again. That's not what he said at all. Have you ever studied logic?

Published by: Michael T
Farley Iowa 04/01/2007 10:47 AM EST

John Healy of D.C.
Plain and simple John, it's the demographics.Christians are not reproducing. Also, Christians are not practicing their faith and their Pastors are watering their faith down to the point of creating a spiritual vacuum. Unfortunately, Islam is there to fill the vacuum because they at least(though in serious theological error)are true to what they believe.I dare any Christian reading this to pray as many times a day as Muslims do-dare ya. Maybe, just maybe if we practice our faith in truth we can turn back the Culture of Death that is hurling our world toward total spiritual and economic ruin. Enough is enough. Time to make a stand. Now.

Published by: John Germain
Livonia, Mi. USA 04/01/2007 08:55 AM EST

The church has permitted the ruin of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! We are beginning to pay the price. As the church goes, so goes the world! Only we can fix it.

Published by: Alberto
Towson, Maryland 04/01/2007 07:46 AM EST

At Judgment, tell Jesus that you favor scandalous laws (like this issue), same-sex marriage, fornication, abortion, sexual perversions and other blasphemies. He will let you feel about His thoughts on them...for all eternity.

Published by: Fran
United States 04/01/2007 07:35 AM EST

Its never too late. As a child I remember praying for the conversion of Russia and the fall of Communism. It happened in my lifetime. Organized prayer can defeat this opposition to religion also. The cardinals, bishops and priest need to organize the faithful to pray, starting with the children at school and at home. They should encourage Catholic couples to have more children -- we can procreate this assault on religion right out of business!!

Published by: Anita
Florida, USA 04/01/2007 06:10 AM EST

Unfortunately,Britain allowing this intolerance of Christian beliefs amd the beliefs of all God fearing people,is is the beginning stages of the one world government that is being promoted these days. What it boils down to is, dictatorship and intolerance of anyone who believes in God and wants to live a moral and good life.Therefore,right becomes wrong and wrong becomes right.

Published by: George Angel
Canada 03/31/2007 02:05 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

In this brave new world that mankind is trying to create confusion and darkness reign supreme where the passage of anti-discrimination and intolerance laws actually lead to very serious discrimination and intolerance where no exemptions are given to faith-based groups. Of course the United Kingdom is no stranger to intolerance against faith-based groups throughout its history. Just ask Saint Thomas Moore and the Puritans of New England that had to flee the United Kingdom and cross the Atlantic Ocean to build a City on the Hill where they could freely practice their faith in what today is called the United States of America. While all seems confusing and dark in the United Kingdom and many other parts of the western world and even now on the South American Continent, God who created mankind, the earth, and the universe and beyond is and always has been in total control and will once and for all intervene in human history, when all that is wrong with the world will be made right in the twinkling of an eye, when Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, True God and True man will intervene on a day and hour that only God knows. Until then pray to this God of infinite love and mercy who so loved mankind, that God gave his only begotten son to be crucified on the Cross by the shedding his precious blood for the salvation of all mankind to be with Christ in his eternal heavenly Kingdom where Jesus Christ will reign for ever and ever. Pray, Pray, Pray!

Published by: HMacK
Brunei 03/30/2007 06:34 PM EST

Rate: Good

You are too late Cardinal Cormach-Murphy! You should have raised the alarm earlier and you should have organised the church in UK against this adulterous goverment. But you chose to negotiate with the the evil it does rather than fight it. Many Catholics would have supported you had you done so, but you left them leaderless. And when Christians assembled outside the House of Lords to pray against the immoral administrations of Blair, were you there yourself? According to the reports, NO!

Published by: John Healy
Washington, DC 03/30/2007 03:47 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Deacon John,

Your comment is the funniest comment I have seen today. Homosexuality is causing the decay of western Civilization and leading to Islam. How did you come up with this idea?

Published by: R. Anderson
Ontario, Canada 03/30/2007 01:24 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

And thus begins the further decay of the British nation...a nation whose very Christian identity has been built upon the foundation of apostasy initiated by Henry VIII and subsequent sovereigns. A house built on sand cannot stand and we are seeing the gradual slide of the edifice as it attempts to place the idol of "intellect" above the Spirit.

Published by: Christopher Manderino
PA, USA 03/30/2007 12:26 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Let us pray for Great Britain.

It is unfortunate. It has been over 400 years, and yet, the British still insist the State over the Church in laws of Morality.

Published by: Deacon John M. Bresnahan
Lynn, Ma. USA 03/30/2007 11:54 AM EST

Rate: Very Good

Sadly, the intolerance on behalf of homosexuals which is sweeping across Europe and America is clearly part of the death and decay of Western Civilization which will inevitably turn these areas into Moslem lands.

Published by: Brian
Indianapolis, IN, USA 03/30/2007 11:25 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

The Cardinal said he fears intolerance of Christianity. "So when Christians stand by their beliefs, they are intolerant dogmatists. When they sin, they are hypocrites,” he said. "When they take the side of the poor, they are soft-headed liberals. When they seek to defend the family, they are right-wing reactionaries."

Very true. We need to recover the multi-dimensional Gospel of holiness and love.

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