Australian leader denies pressuring Pope on canonization
July 06, 2009
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has denied that he is putting political pressure on Pope Benedict XVI by urging the Pontiff to proceed quickly with the canonization of Blessed Mary MacKillop. A spokesman for Rudd said that the prime minister will merely convey the feelings of his countrymen when he meets with the Pope this week.
Tony Abbott, a prominent Catholic and leader of the Australian political opposition, had charged that Rudd was pandering to Catholic voters by saying that he would discuss the canonization issue. "What possesses Kevin Rudd to think you obtain a saint in the same way as you might obtain the World Cup for your own country?" Abbott said.
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Further information:
- Australia denies pressuring Vatican over sainthood (AFP)
- Lobbying the Pope is bull, says Tony Abbott (The Australian)
- Australian premier will lobby Pope to schedule quick canonization of Mary MacKillop (CWN, Jun 30)
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