New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally lashed out at the head of her church in Australia, saying she was "saddened" by Cardinal George Pell for denouncing Catholic politicians who do not follow the church's teachings.
Ms Keneally said Cardinal Pell risked being "interpreted as condemnatory and threatening" by urging MPs to stick to their religious convictions when making policy decisions on contentious social issues such as same-sex marriage.
Ms Keneally, a deeply committed Catholic with a Masters degree in religious studies, said: "I read those comments from the Archbishop and, if anything, they saddened me. "Almost every Catholic politician I know takes their responsibility as an elected representative and their faith very seriously. Many have really struggled, as have I, when moral issues require us to vote - and particularly when it is a conscience vote."
Cardinal Pell told The Sunday Telegraph that Catholic politicians couldn't have it both ways on sensitive moral issues such as gay marriage and euthanasia. Liberal NSW Upper House MP David Clarke agreed with the Cardinal. "You can't just use your religion when you want to," he said.
But, Member for Lakemba Tony Stewart said: "I found those comments from Pell bizarre and straight from the 1950s. "Trying to get politicians to vote in accordance to the Catholic Church is really to the detriment of what parliamentary representation is all about in Australia." (www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sunday-telegraph/premiers-unholy-row-with-cardinal/story-e6frewt0-1225984254210)
Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson, a retired Baptist minister wonders whether this is a case of the Roman Catholic Church flexing its political muscles, or is there something else going on here?
Mark Tronson said that he himself as an Australian citizen is concerned over conscience issues such as abortion, same sex marriage and the like, and he welcomes comments from fellow ministers and Denominational leaders. Ultimately, in his view, each person makes their own conscience decision on these contentious issues.
The politicians are perhaps here being a little too precious in surmising that George Pell's "Captain Catholic" comments are political decisions being directed from Rome.
Mark Tronson says that perhaps more generously George Pell is emphasing a need for a Christian perspective and is challenging them to consider their Christian convictions in these complex matters in which answers are sought for the benefit of all society and future generations.
Many Christians of all denominations would say that George Pell is looking at the implications of all such decisions made in the political realm for all of society and is challenging politicians concerning their Christian view points. Surely, this is a valid response by all lobbyists seeking to exercise their rights in a democratic society.
Those who would criticise George Pell as a Catholic would find another excuse in any case.
Perhaps he could have said something like: "These issues are also religious and the Catholics potion is (such and such). I acknowledge that other Christians are guided by the Spirit of the Lord in their own decision making. I will be writing to Catholic politicians spelling out the Catholic position asking them to keep the Catholic Church's teaching in mind."
But he'd be criticised for that as well!