Canadian archbishop says abortion remains Catholic litmus test

Published: 2004-06-17

OTTAWA (CNS) -- If political leaders claim any right to call themselves Catholic, they must "unequivocally and publicly state their opposition to abortion," said Archbishop Anthony Meagher of Kingston, Ontario. The archbishop, writing in his column for the June-July issue of the archdiocesan newspaper, Journey, and reprinted on the archdiocesan Web site, also said that Catholic political leaders must be "willing to do what can be done to protect the dignity of all human life." Although the archbishop did not refer specifically to any Canadian politician, Prime Minister Paul Martin, described in the secular press as "a devout Catholic," has repeatedly defended what he says is a woman's right to have an abortion. Federal elections are scheduled in Canada for June 28. In his column, the archbishop challenged Catholic politicians to defend the sanctity of life and the integrity of the family, questioning those who support same-sex marriages and abortion.

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