Letters

Hypocrisy (letter)

Frank Bellet

Contents - Nov 2003 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Anglicanism at the crossroads - Peter Westmore John Paul II elevates Archbishop George Pell to the College of Cardinals - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Social Justice Statements: in whose name should they be published? - Richard Egan Melbourne on course despite brain drain - Fr Paul Stuart Vocations: Missionaries of God's Love congregation flourishes in Canberra - Mary Pidcock Melbourne's Caroline Chisholm Library passes ten year mark - Michael C.C. Ryan Vocations: Father James Gould and the hallmarks of successful vocations promotion - Michael Rose Tattoos and body-piercing: the moral dimension - Fr Peter Joseph Interview: Vatican Cardinal praises Mel Gibson's film 'The Passion' Letters: Cardinal Pell (letter) - Alan Hoysted Letters: Celibacy (letter) - Kim Albertini Letters: Vatican II - Peter D. Howard Letters: The Footy Show (letter) - Patricia Kelly Letters: The Mass? (letter) - Kevin McBride Education: The Catholic Church's one Founder - Fr John O'Neill Letters: Role model? - Br Con Moloney CFC Letters: Hypocrisy (letter) - Frank Bellet Letters: Letter from India Letters: Good out of evil (letter) - Brian Harris Letters: Lourdes pilgrimage (letter) - Jenny Davies Events: Vocations Camp - Fr Duncan Wong FSSP Books: A Grief Unveiled, by Gregory Floyd - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: Built On A Hilltop: Good Shepherd Sisters in WA 1902-2002, by Geraldine Byrne - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) Books: Great books at the best prices! Reflection: Cardinal Pell on Pope St Gregory the Great and the duties of bishops - Cardinal George Pell

Catholic politicians, Laurie Brereton (Labor) and Christopher Pyne (Liberal), when questioned on the Vatican's stance on same sex unions, opined: "There is a need for the separation of Church and State."

This all sounds very principled. However, stripped of its humbug, the euphemism they are hiding behind is the fact that they don't support the Vatican on this issue, whether they are in parliament or out singing seconds in the church choir.

The hypocrisy of the prevailing view, among the chattering classes in our society, on same sex unions, was demonstrated on American TV last August. Pat Robertson, the CEO of Christian Television, revealed how he recently asked one of the Episcopalian bishops who supported the ordination of the gay bishop what he would think of a clergyman who deserted his wife and children and went to live with another woman; would he be scandalised?

"Of course", replied the bishop, "it would he a disgrace." Rev Robertson responded: "Then how do you explain that it's OK if the same man runs off into a sexual relationship with another man (as that gay bishop did)?

FRANK BELLET
Petrie, Qld

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 16 No 10 (November 2003), p. 15