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Tony Blair & religion;; former PM's views & comments
Topic Started: Sunday, 24. June 2007, 17:35 (1,210 Views)
denis

If Tony Blair wishes to become a Catholic surely this is between him and Almighty God. who are we to set ourselves as Judge, Jury, and Executioner. Yes he has done things which we do'nt agree with because they do'nt suit us, but I can assure you that he did'nt bring forward the Bill of Abortion, the Bill of Same Sex Marriages, the Bill of Gay Couples being allowed to adopt young children, etc , these were brought forward by others all of which are contrary to our beliefs, but at General Elections do we vote for the candidates who supported and passed these Bills or do we just blame him. If he chooses to become a Catholic I will be one of those who welcome him to the fold.
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Rose of York
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denis
Jun 27 2007, 12:42 AM
If Tony Blair wishes to become a Catholic surely this is between him and Almighty God.

It is also between the individual and the priest who must decide whether or not to receive a person into the Catholic Church. I understood some bishops in the USA have indicated that any Catholic in public office who support abortion, by voting in its favour, may not receive Holy Communion. My purely personal opinion is that a by voting for any easing of access to abortion, a person is aiding and abetting abortion, and am I correct the penalty for that is excommunication? I could be mistaken.



Tony Blair's voting record includes:
Guardian Unlimited
Adoption and children - 4.11.2002
Vote on government plan to allow unmarried and gay couples to adopt children. Supporters voted for. The motion was passed.
Blair voted FOR.

Age of consent February 2000 - 10.2.2000
Vote on government plan to lower age of consent for gay sex to 16. Supporters voted for. The motion was passed. Blair voted FOR.

Age of consent June 1998 - 22.6.1998
Vote on government plan to lower the age of consent for gay sex to 16. Supporters voted for. The measure was passed but defeated by the Lords. Blair voted FOR.

And this is what a trustee of Life said:

http://www.lifeuk.org/news/news.php?subact...rt_from=&ucat=&Life website

Quote:
 
Nuala Scarisbrick, Trustee of LIFE, said ‘Abortion has helped to destroy many families and underpins the sexual free-for-all which has resulted in epidemic sexual disease, relationship breakdown, fatherhood marginalized, and underage children encouraged to have sex.’

‘Mr Blair is a keen supporter of abortion, judging by his voting record, so it is not surprising that he does not blame the legalisation of abortion for much of today’s social and moral problems. But anyone who calmly analyses the effect of the permissive legislation of the 60s must honestly admit that the 1967 Abortion Act was and is a disaster. Nearly 6 million unborn children have been killed, nearly 6 million women and girls damaged physically and emotionally, nearly 6 million men for whom fatherhood has been devalued.’

‘Mr Blair is said to want to reduce the upper age limit of abortion, a step in the right direction. But why not admit that abortion is a devastating experience for women, and men, and a complete denial of the human rights of preborn people, and that it has no place in the 21st century.’



denis
Jun 27 2007, 12:42 AM
who are we to set ourselves as Judge, Jury, and Executioner.

Who are we to be wary , some time in the future, of TV companies introducing "Tony Blair, leading Catholic" on a programme about abortion, same gender adoption or lowering the age of content for sexual intercourse, heterosexual or hom osex ual? Some people will be gullible enough to believe a former Prime Minister is in a position to act as Catholic spokesman.


denis
Jun 27 2007, 12:42 AM
Yes he has done things which we do'nt agree with because they do'nt suit us,


Don't suit us, or don't suit God?

denis
Jun 27 2007, 12:42 AM
but I can assure you that he did'nt bring forward the Bill of Abortion,  the Bill of Same Sex Marriages, the Bill of Gay  Couples being allowed to adopt young children, etc , these were brought forward by others


Tony Blair voted for those bills. Voting is a public declaration of agreement with the people who introduced the Bills, so those who vote for them, are complicit in that action.


denis
Jun 27 2007, 12:42 AM
all of which are contrary to our beliefs, but at General Elections do we vote for the candidates who supported and passed these Bills or do we just blame him.


This is not about voting in a general election.

I am not "Blair knocking", I am trying to disucss the general issue of politicians or royalty, born Catholics or converts, making a mockery of the Catholic church, and being allowed to receive the sacramanets, whilst openly supporting policies that are totally condemned, as mortally sinful, by Holy Mother Church.

Christianity in the United Kingdom has suffered enough, with a future Supreme Governor of the Church of England being a "remarried" divorcee.

I doubt whether a small time journalist who gives public support to same sex partnerships, lowering the age of consent, and abortion would be allowed to become a Catholic. Few parish priests would agree to be party to the reception into the Church.
Keep the Faith!

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Deacon Robert
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My personal opinion on whether Mr Blair could become a Deacon isthat he would have to public recant of any statements or positions that are counter to Catholic teaching, and find a Bishop who would believe him, and a congregation that would accept him. With all the prior bagage he and most other politicians carry it is near impossible.

I don't know how it works in the UK, but in the US Priests and Bishops may not hold elected office. Deacons may run for office with the Bishop's permission, which is never given.There was recently a Deacon who had been elected to public office for many years prior to ordination and forced to resign when it came to the Bishop's attention
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne

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Rose of York
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Deacon Robert
Jun 27 2007, 01:11 PM
I don't know how it works in the UK, but in the US Priests and Bishops may not hold elected office.

I don't want to teach clergy about Canon Law, so Deacon will you please advise, does it forbid clergy to hold political (elected or not) office?

It is well known that Cardinal Hume turned down the offer of a peerage because that carries entitlement to a seat in the House of Lords, which is the upper house of our Parliament.
Keep the Faith!

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Deacon Robert
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Rose, I don't know if it is in canon law, I'll check tommorrow. I do know that the Bishops in the US have prohibited our clergy from taking or running for elected public office, which I guess is within their authority.
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne

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Deacon Robert
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I thought it would take longer, but here it is canons canon 285-3 and 287-2

Clerics are forbidden to assume public offices which entail a participation in the exercise of civil power.


Clerics are not to have an active role in political parties and in direction of labor unions unless the need to protect the rights of the church or to promote the common good requires in it the judgement of the competent ecclesiastical authority.

canon 288 excludes permanent Deacons from from canons 284, 285-3 and 4, 286, 287-2 most of which is not relevent to this discussion

The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne

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tomais

What is to stop Blair going into a Contemplative orders premises for a period of time.
So he wishes<9 we suppose) to become a Catholic; OK., that would be his will and his acceptable action- think Duns Scotus heap of pebbles,think Blair.
What he does I cannot influence in anyway what soever- it is his choice,that is if he understands what choice means.
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Derekap
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He would soon be out on his neck - he's too talkative!
Derekap
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pete

I for one am going to miss him and I don't mind saying so. True, he wasn't perfect, who is?

Thank you for taking the time to email me.
It has been an enormous honour to serve as Prime Minister for the last decade, and I appreciate your kind words.
My family and I appreciate the wonderful support that we have been shown during our time in Downing Street.
Tony Blair
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CARLO
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Let us pray that Tony Blair will convert.

Oremus


CARLO
Judica me Deus
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Em.

So, as from last night (21/12) Tony Blair was baptised. That despite the Laws he allowed to become Law. I can only sigh!
Divine Mercy
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Gerard

Em,

I hadnt heard that, but it would be a cause to rejoice. I just wish he'd done it while still PM.

(and I also disagree with many of his big decisions on policy)

Gerry
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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Rose of York
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Tony Blair, former Prime Minister, has been received into the Catholic Church.

Link to Press Association report


Quote:
 
Tony Blair converts to Catholicism

Tony Blair has converted to Roman Catholicism, the former PM's official spokesman has confirmed.

Mr Blair was received into the Catholic Church by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, in the chapel of the Archbishop's House in Westminster on Friday night.

Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said: "I am very glad to welcome Tony Blair into the Catholic Church.


Quote:
 
The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams wished the former Prime Minister well in his spiritual journey.

He said: "Tony Blair has my prayers and good wishes as he takes this step in his Christian pilgrimage."

Keep the Faith!

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Gerard

Superb news

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Gerry
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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saundthorp

Gerard
Dec 22 2007, 01:38 PM
Superb news

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Gerry

Gerry,

Why do you think it is such "Superb news"?
Truth is still the truth even if no one believes it. Error is still error even if everyone believes it.
(Archbishop Fulton Sheen)
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