Posted on 06/11/2004 6:57:05 AM PDT by EsclavoDeCristo
Source URL: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/jun/04061003.html
LifeSite Daily News Thursday June 10, 2004
Canadian Catholic Priest Running for Politics Promises Not to Vote against Abortion
ST. JOHN'S, June 10, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Rev. Des McGrath, a retired Catholic priest is running for the New Democratic Party in the current election despite the fact that the Catholic Church forbids priests to run for political office. However the situation is further complicated by the Catholic priest's promise not to vote against abortion.
McGrath, the NDP candidate in the Random--Burin--St. George's riding of Newfoundland and Labrador, was featured in the Toronto Star recently as a "pro-life" candidate of the NDP attempting to show the diversity within the party. The point was made starkly with another NDP candidate in the same province being a founder of a local abortuary. McGrath even stated to the Star: "I've told the NDP that I'm pro-life and that if anything comes up in that regard, I would vote pro-life."
However, with the abortion issue central to the election, the NDP which is officially pro-abortion and pro-homosexual 'marriage' said it would not tolerate dissent on the issue. Rather than put the right to life for all human beings above his political aspirations, Rev. McGrath betrayed his faith convictions.
In a recent CBC radio report, the CBC announcer led, "The Catholic priest says he hasn't made up his mind yet on same sex marriage." That was followed by a reference to abortion and a clip from Rev. McGrath stating, "I would abstain from voting on that issue, which would be to say to the world that I'm against abortion but I won't embarrass the party."
LifeSiteNews.com could not reach Rev. McGrath's bishop for comment. Calls to Rev. McGrath were not returned.
See the Toronto Star coverage: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Content Server?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_T ype1&c=Article&cid=1086300609926&call_pa geid=968332188774&col=968350116467
If he's not going to obey the Church when it comes to running for political office, we shouldn't be surprised that he's an abortion supporter also. The truely great priests are the ones who submit themselves completely and humbly to the Church and bishops even when they are even persecuted and censored by dissenters in the hierarchy!
strip this one of any status as quickly as possible
§2 Clerics are to avoid whatever is foreign to their state, even when it is not unseemly.
§3 Clerics are forbidden to assume public office whenever it means sharing in the exercise of civil power.
§4 Without the permission of their Ordinary, they may not undertake the administration of goods belonging to lay people, or secular offices which involve the obligation to render an account. They are forbidden to act as surety, even concerning their own goods, without consulting their proper Ordinary. They are not to sign promissory notes which involve the payment of money but do not state the reasons for the payment.
Can. 287 §1 Clerics are always to do their utmost to foster among people peace and harmony based on justice.
§2 They are not to play an active role in political parties or in directing trade unions unless, in the judgment of the competent ecclesiastical authority, this is required for the defense of the rights of the Church or to promote the common good.
"If he's not going to obey the Church when it comes to running for political office..."
Retired priests can't run for political office? I can understand this applying to practicing/active priests.
Clerics are forbidden to assume public office whenever it means sharing in the exercise of civil power.They are not to play an active role in political parties or in directing trade unions unless, in the judgment of the competent ecclesiastical authority, this is required for the defense of the rights of the Church or to promote the common good.
"Clerics are forbidden to assume public office whenever it means sharing in the exercise of civil power. "
I guess my point was whether this applied to *retired* priests. It sounds like there's no distinction made by the Catholic Church.
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