Pope assails Canadian Law

[RadioactiveMan]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...l/home%3CBR%3E

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict hit out Friday at Canada for allowing same-sex marriage and abortion, saying they result from Roman Catholic politicians' ignoring the values of their religion.

“In the name of tolerance, your country has had to endure the folly of the redefinition of spouse, and in the name of freedom of choice it is confronted with the daily destruction of unborn children,” the Pope told a group of bishops from Ontario.

Such laws, he said, are the result of “the exclusion of God from the public sphere.”

He lamented that Catholic politicians had yielded to “ephemeral social trends and the spurious demands of opinion polls.”

Benedict has made the defence of traditional family values a major goal of his papacy, speaking out often on the issue. During a trip to Spain in July, he criticized that country's Socialist government for instituting liberal reforms such as gay marriage and fast-track divorce.

Same-sex marriage was recognized by Canada's Parliament last year, but Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said there will be a vote in the House of Commons this fall to determine whether the issue should be revisited.

The pope can go to hell. He should crawl back into his church and leave people to make their own decisions. Even though he was speaking to Bishops from Ontario, not the general public, I'm insulted that he'd pass judgement on Canadian law.

I thought that his words "the exclusion of God from the public sphere" was interesting. God shouldn't be in the public sphere. Religion shouldn't be in a position to influence people's affairs.

Comments on the story:

Brian Martin from Georgetown, Canada writes: Such laws, he said, are the result of “the exclusion of God from the public sphere.” ...and let's keep it that way!

tom hope from toronto, Canada writes: So what? The pope's opinion is as relevant as my 4 year old daughter's. Why any semi-intelligent human being would ever care what this man thinks is beyond my comprehension.

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mary sand from Toronto, Canada writes: Apparently 'tolerance' and 'freedom' are bad things according to the pope.....

Brian Sexsmith from Toronto, Canada writes: Thank you Pope. You can now retreat to your medieval city state and ponder your next crusade.

[Swiss Miss]

hahah... those were funny quotes you added at the end there. I agree with all of them except for the guy who said "The pope's opinion is as relevant as my 4 year old daughter's." I'd listen to the daughter more!

I really don't understand how people in the Pope's position think they have the ability to pass judgement on other well established countries... and really.. who listens to him?

[DansDarkSide]

It worked during the middle ages. But yea I agree with all of the comments.