Sophie Mei

Sadly not, No.

 

The recession has hit the UK and those who survive under the wrath of the harsh economic climate are those who remain optimistic and open to change – a hope for a new sustainable era for small businesses, the progression of new media and a new and reformed society.

Those who fail – are the ones who remain wedged in tradition, refusing to accept advancements in technologies and broaden their minds.

 

With the new appointment of Archbishop of Westminster and head of Catholic Church, Reverend Vincent Nichols unfortunately has chosen the latter.

 

As Steve Slack, Centre for Hiv and Sexual Health has written; ‘Speaking recently, the new Archbishop of Westminster appointed by the Pope, reasserted the Papal view that homosexuals were not themselves to be condemned but it was their relationships, their sexual acts and their parenting desires which should be censured. In other words he was falling back on that old chestnut: ‘love the sinner not the sin’ – a line which is quite frankly now wearing as thin as a Holy Communion wafer.’[1]

 

A sad fact, yes, that in a time when the Catholic faith is under much scrutiny from the reported child abuse of over 30,000 children in Ireland, that the Archbishop merely sypathises with the perpertrators:

“It is a tough road to take, to face upto our own weaknesses.”

 

 The Ryan report that states that rape and sexual molestation were “endemic” in Irish Catholic church – run industrial schools and colleges.[2]

 

It is somewhat scary that the Archbishop and Pope continue to condemn minority groups rather than reform their own church.

 

Exclusive Interview:  Simon Hughes, Lib Dem spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change (Speaking backstage, BBC Radio 4’s ‘Any Questions?,’ May 22^nd, Sheffield)

 

Q: ‘In light of the abuse in catholic Church yesterday – can we  look forward to a less hypocritical leadership, more concerned with the wrongs in the Catholic church than condemning homosexuality and contraceptives ?’

 

A: (Simon Hughes) Reverend Russell is normally a good communicator but the Roman Catholic Church should stick to being the voice for the poor and powerless. One of their weaknesses is that they need women in church. It’s nonsense that women don’t have equal status. I accept that abortion happens although, I myself aren’t in favour of it and I think the justifiable legal position is an abortion by 20 -23 weeks.

 

As with most MP’s the question itself was avoided but if the Catholic Church’s main responsibility lies in helping the poor- then why is it one of the richest institutions in the world?

 

It’s about time the Catholic Church used it’s power to support a new era of equal rights and celebrate global diversity. Surely faith and love is at the heart of the religion?

 

As Jesus stated: ‘Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ (Leviticus 19:18)

 

All faiths, Agnostics and Atheists could all use such principles for the good – so why does the Vatican continue to contradict these foundations of religion in our modern society?

 

 http://www.guardian.co.uk