Cardinal Ouellet: bishops should not be deterred by political opposition
August 20, 2010
Church leaders should base their public statements on “spiritual discernment and not just political calculation,” according to the incoming prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who has encountered fierce political opposition during his tenure as Archbishop of Quebec City, spoke about the duties of bishops before leaving for Rome to take up his new duties. His remarks were a counterpoint to the criticism aired by Bishop Martin Veillette, who had suggested that the cardinal was rash in his public pronouncements and said that sometimes it is “more important to keep silent than to speak.”
Cardinal Ouellet offered a very different perspective, saying that a bishops should speak with conviction and not be deterred by the likelihood of opposition. He argued that if a Catholic leader refrains from public comment “because you don’t believe that it is possible that people accept it, you are in trouble.”
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Further information:
- We Need Bishops With ‘Spiritual Discernment’ over ‘Political Calculation’ (LifeSite News)
- Quebec bishop says Cardinal Ouellet was out of touch (CWN, 8/19)
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Posted by: bkmajer3729 -
Aug. 22, 2010 2:15 PM ET USA
I too wish our bishops would frequently & publicly support the sanctity of life - at all stages! I wonder sometimes if we allow our sense of courage and conviction to become the point of our worship at the expense of Christ. "Of course not, how could you...?", they will counter. Don't be misled by my sentiment but let's not put ourselves in the FINAL judgement position based on our personal sense of the prolific horror of abortion. We need to work together to reverse our culture. Pray & Work
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Posted by: Defender -
Aug. 21, 2010 9:04 PM ET USA
Shoulda, woulda, coulda...
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Posted by: -
Aug. 20, 2010 10:21 PM ET USA
St. Michael preserve us from cowardly bishops. Ouellet is not one of those.
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Posted by: -
Aug. 20, 2010 10:00 PM ET USA
All truth is God's truth: never fear the truth.
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
Aug. 20, 2010 9:04 PM ET USA
God bless Cardinal Ouellet for his courage in speaking out for the lives of unborn children. His actions show deep respect and reverence for the sanctity of each human life. He clearly understands his role and responsibilities in serving the Lord and leading his flock. I am deeply concerned that a Cathoilic bishop (Bishop Veillette)would ever suggest one should be silent in regard to the killing of an innocent preborn child. We should all be speaking for these children's lives.
