Calgary bishop criticizes prime minister for 'moral incoherence'

Published: 2004-06-09

OTTAWA (CNS) -- Bishop Frederick Henry of Calgary, Alberta, has criticized Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin for his "moral incoherence" on abortion and same-sex marriage. "No Catholic can responsibly take a 'pro-choice' stand when the 'choice' in question involves the taking of innocent life," he said in a pastoral letter to be included in parish bulletins June 13. "Nor is there a right of couples in same-sex unions to marry. One cannot invent a meaning of sexuality to suit one's own wishes or tastes. Marriage is a union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others," the bishop said. Bishop Henry said Martin's position on abortion and same-sex unions is "a source of scandal in the Catholic community and reflects a fundamental moral incoherence." Martin, a Catholic, recently reaffirmed his support for a woman's right to an abortion and said of the issue, "I don't think it's a battle that should be revived at this point."

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