Papal interference in Canadian marriage law

The Pope is attempting to influence Canadian marriage law:

Pope John Paul II is about to issue guidelines to pressure politicians -- especially Catholic politicians -- to vote against the legislation. A Catholic politician, says Monsignor Peter Schonenbach, "cannot simply hang his feet up after he has said his prayers but he is supposed to see it as part of his way of life."

So, the three most influential players on the issue in Canada -- Chretien, Justice Minister Martin Cauchon and Paul Martin -- are all being asked to choose between state and their religion.

Papal intervention would make sense to me if Canada's Parliament was planning to legislate marriage sacraments in the Catholic Church. It is not. Civil marriage law has now changed in Ontario and British Columbia thanks to Canada's new(ish) constitution. These changes have no effect whatsoever on Catholic doctrine.

The Pope, however, is attempting to interfere in the civil rights of Canadians. He demonstrates a contempt for Canadian democracy, our constitutional freedoms and for the faith and practice of Canadians who are not Catholic.

And then... Chaos Stud discusses President Bush, gay marriage and the problem of imposing particular religious beliefs.

I don't care about your stupid religious beliefs, and if you truly don't care what people do behind closed doors, then stay outta their bitness.

Andrew Sullivan addresses the same issue ("Can we avoid it? "):

Many principled conservatives balk at amending the constitution on an issue that's clearly highly volatile in public opinion - and will continue to change in the years ahead. I have faith in this country and the fairness of its people. I cannot believe that they will ostracize gay citizens for ever in an impulsive and explosive constitutional amendment. I also cannot believe that this president wants to marginalize an entire group of citizens for good simply because of who they are. Certainly, if this amendment is pursued by this administration, it's the end of any relationship between the gay community and the Republican party. Those of us who have tried to build a bridge between the two are watching helplessly as the White House mulls burning it. They won't, will they? Or will they?

My post about my long-lost, idiotarian and very dear to me friend left out another gem. To those people who expressed irritation with Canada and a desire to escape to the freedom of the United States she said, "good riddance." I did not have the heart to tell her I would send a postcard the day I arrive in NYC. But the ravings of the "religious" Right who would speak for the morality of all Americans form a grotesque self-parody of the prejudices my idiotarian friend has toward the United States. Let us be clear about this: the liberty for which the civilized world is fighting must stand against the zealots of the Taliban, Wahhabi Arabia and our own Pharisees who would set up their "literalist" misreadings of scripture as an idol for us all.

Posted by the Flea at July 31, 2003 10:49 AM