Church/Vatican
Church has right to bring Gospel values to public debate, pope says
February 3rd, 2010
By Carol Glatz
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Catholic teaching and the truths of the Gospel have a right to be heard in public debate, especially in a country where so many people claim to be Christian, Pope Benedict XVI told the bishops of England and Wales.
However, the Church must recognize dissent within its own ranks and not accept it as being part of a balanced discussion, he said Feb. 1 in an address to bishops.
Referring to the Equality Bill under debate in Britain’s Parliament, the pope said some legislation designed to guarantee equal opportunity for all people actually would impose “unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs.”
Catholic bishops have said the bill means churches could be sued by anyone who was turned away as a candidate for the priesthood on grounds of gender or sexual lifestyle.
A recent vote in Britain’s House of Lords, however, supported an amendment that protected the existing rights of churches to insist that clergy and high-profile lay employees live in a manner consistent with Christian moral teaching.
Pope Benedict urged the bishops to continue defending Church teaching in the public realm, adding that they have a right “to participate in national debate through respectful dialogue with other elements in society.”
By being vocal participants in public discussion, the bishops are maintaining Britain’s long-standing tradition of freedom of expression and are giving voice to the similar beliefs held by many people who are unable to express them, he said.
“When so many of the population claim to be Christian, how could anyone dispute the Gospel’s right to be heard?” the pope asked.
“Fidelity to the Gospel in no way restricts the freedom of others – on the contrary, it serves their freedom by offering them the truth,” he said.
To bring a coherent, convincing message to the people, the church must ensure the Catholic community speaks with one voice, he added.
In a culture that encourages the expression of a wide variety of opinions, the pope said, “it is important to recognize dissent for what it is, and not to mistake it for a mature contribution to a balanced and wide-ranging debate.”
From February 5, 2010 issue of Catholic San Francisco.
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