CANADA
The News
Published on March 11, 2014
REFOCUS BY GERARD VELDHOVEN
The United Nations and the Vatican went head to head recently regarding the church’s lack of progress regarding its dealings with clergy who have abused children for years. The Vatican’s response was swift and very much on the defence. In an attempt to minimize and swing attention to this intense situation, authorities in the church say the UN is being unfair and is distorting the truth.
Kudos to the Committee for finally dealing with this long-standing issue in demanding action by the Roman Catholic Church to come clean.
Curiously, Pope Francis has so far been silent. Aside from abusive priests, the UN also chided the Vatican’s stance on gay equality and abortion. The Pope has previously made an attempt to gather support from the gay community by saying, “who am I to Judge?” During that same interview he indicated that church doctrine will not change and that has been substantiated by other Vatican leaders. The flowery language from the Pontiff sounds promising and would indeed be a welcome development.
Discrimination remains rampant in spite of the positive changes we witness on a daily basis. The changes we do experience are not initiated by the world’s religions and that remains serious as the fires of intolerance keep burning. How refreshing it would be when those who judge and do not accept people for who they really are see a way to welcome everyone.
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