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Pope Benedict XVI Criticises “Tide of Secularism” and Support for Euthanasia in... : 18th Feb 10
Pope Benedict XVI has warned against the “increasing tide of secularism” in the UK in his second commentary on that country in a week. The Pontiff likewise condemned support for euthanasia, which he said goes directly against the Christian understanding of the dignity of human life, and recent developments in experiments on human embryos.
He also said that too many people see the Catholic Church in terms of “prohibitions and retrograde positions” but ignore Her positive vision of the world. The Pope added that faith schools are a “powerful force” for improving society. His comments came just days after he made an unprecedented attack on Labour’s “unjust” equality laws, saying they restricted religious freedom.
He made his earlier intervention, which triggered protests from some MPs and campaigners for secularism and “gay rights”, when he met 35 bishops from England and Wales. Later the same week the Holy Father addressed Scotland’s bishops, who were making their five-yearly ad limina pilgrimage to the Vatican.
He confirmed that he would journey to Scotland as part of the historic first papal state visit to Britain. “Later this year, I shall have the joy of being present with you and the Catholics of Scotland on your native soil”, he noted.
But he told the prelates they must “evangelise society” as he highlighted his concerns about their homeland: “That task requires a readiness to grapple firmly with the challenges presented by the increasing tide of secularism in your country. Support for euthanasia strikes at the very heart of the Christian understanding of the dignity of human life. Recent developments in medical ethics and some of the practices advocated in the field of embryology give cause for great concern”. The Telegraph. February 6.
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