Ontario Premier Scandalized Catholic Students, Says Leading Catholic Magazine Editor
"Particularly offensive" that McGuinty says he can remain Catholic in good standing while advocating abortion and same-sex "marriage"
September 19, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - With statements made on Sept. 17 at a Markham Catholic high school that his so-called "private" Catholic faith does not determine his positions on public policy, Premier Dalton McGuinty scandalized his youthful audience, says the editor of Canada's leading Catholic magazine of news and opinion.
"There is no such thing as a 'private' Catholic faith," says Father Alphonse de Valk, editor of Catholic Insight magazine. "From the original biblical scriptures to the teachings of the Catholic Church today, it is made clear that Christians cannot live a 'double life' and try to separate their faith from what they do and say."
It is particularly offensive that Premier McGuinty would suggest to the students he can remain a Catholic in good standing while advocating such evils as abortion and the dismantling of the family unit through avenues such as same-sex "marriage," adds de Valk.
He cites the words of Jesus Christ in the biblical book of Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 14-16: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others."
As well, the current Catechism of the Catholic Church declares that "faith is not an isolated act. No one can believe alone … Our love for Jesus and for our neighbour impels us to speak to others about our faith (Paragraph 166)."
"We call on Premier McGuinty to establish where he actually stands," says de Valk. "'No one can serve two masters,' Jesus Christ said. At the moment, Premier McGuinty is serving the wrong master."
I try to live by my faith both in public and in private. My values are the same in private and in public.
Apparently, that is not the case for Dalton McGuinty. He has one set of private values for himself, and another set for the public.
That is not acting with integrity.
_________________________
Visit Opinions Canada
a political blogs aggregator
_________________________
