Australian foreign minister praises Catholic influence on nation's history
October 18, 2010
Australian foreign minister Kevin Rudd, in Rome for the canonization of St. Mary MacKillop, defended the Catholic Church against critics during a press conference.
Noting that the Church has been heavily criticized because of the sex-abuse scandal, Rudd chose to emphasize the positive contributions of Catholicism in Australian history, as exemplified by the work of the new saint. “I would like to acknowledge the enormous work which the church has done and other Christian churches in dealing with this blight on all of human kind,” he said.
In a television interview, when questioned on the miracles attributed to the intercession of the newly canonized Saint, Rudd replied: “If you're asking me as a Christian believer, do I accept the proposition of the supernatural and of supernatural intervention, well of course one follows from the other."
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Further information:
- Kevin Rudd defends handling of child abuse (The Australian)
- Rudd launches defence of church - and says he believes in miracle (CathNews)
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