tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33696095.post6248420925185155164..comments2024-03-20T16:27:56.522+00:00Comments on Norfolk Blogger: The Roman Catholic Church should keep clear of telling people how to voteNich Starlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237390959601973501noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33696095.post-57468833756330160782007-06-04T06:44:00.000+01:002007-06-04T06:44:00.000+01:00In principle, it's Catholic Church policy that pri...In principle, it's Catholic Church policy that priests do not get involved in politics. Of course we know that behind the scenes the Catholic Church is effectively a political corporation pursuing its ends. But when priest Steve Gilhooley became political in Scotland some years ago he was criticised by another priest in The Scotsman. The question arises as to whether it is a denial of freedom of speech to deny a priest the right to have his say. It only crosses the line, I suggest, when priests tell voters to vote in a certain way. As Gilhooley's conservative critic pointed out, this was dividing him from some of his people. It's also the case that were a priest to suggest parishioners vote a certain way from the pulpit it would compromise the charitable status of their church. The 'advancement of religion' as a form of charity excludes political advocacy. It's the 'price' they are supposed to pay for being tax exempt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33696095.post-13928040370358275462007-06-02T22:53:00.000+01:002007-06-02T22:53:00.000+01:00Actually, I said that having a faith is a good thi...Actually, I said that having a faith is a good thing. And to be fair, if the clergy can take the time to berate people like me who believe it is woman's right terminate a few cells then it is my right to reply. Big difference is that a priest does it and it gets reported to millions.Nich Starlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04237390959601973501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33696095.post-84219448994813349242007-06-02T17:11:00.000+01:002007-06-02T17:11:00.000+01:00Actually, you may be surprised to find how many Ca...Actually, you may be surprised to find how many Catholics agree with him. <BR/><BR/>Think what you may and vote as you like, but let the pastor attempt to direct his flock. His appointment gives him the right.<BR/><BR/>Whatever the truth about the 'past hidden paedophiles', what relation has it to the current issue: abortion? Remember the woman's right to choose comes tied to the child's right to live.<BR/><BR/>As for the Church setting it's house in order, do you even know what you are talking about? A few paedophiles say nothing about several thousand other good clergymen.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for taking time to beat on the Church.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33696095.post-37785068566257104242007-05-31T15:14:00.000+01:002007-05-31T15:14:00.000+01:00I'm still waiting for an interviewer to tell one o...I'm still waiting for an interviewer to tell one of these clerics that many if not most catholics disagree with them, and perhaps they should consider that they might have got it wrong.Joe Ottenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18380362092159905533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33696095.post-69323959841547312142007-05-31T11:39:00.000+01:002007-05-31T11:39:00.000+01:00"By what right does he make such statements?"The s..."By what right does he make such statements?"<BR/><BR/>The same right that allows me, you, and the probably majority of Catholics to tell him to sling his hook.Bernardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07622114593123363319noreply@blogger.com