Catholic Cardinal Shane Brady apparently threatened excommunication for those who support an Irish bill to allow abortions in cases of a threat to the mother's life. This quotation, from The Huffington Post, is Prime Minister Kenny's response:
"Everybody’s entitled to their opinion here, but as explained to the Cardinal and members of the church, my book is the constitution and the constitution is determined by the people," Kenny added. "That’s the people’s book. We live in a Republic and I have a duty and responsibility as head of Government to legislate in respect of what the people’s wishes are."If that statement doesn't send a shiver down the spine of world history, I don't know what will. All is changing.
All is changing.
(For the record: I will not respond to any comments directly about the abortion debate or about the Church's or Kenny's positions, specifically. That's not what my blog is all about and I am confident that my discerning readers can see that this post is about so much more than a single issue.)
"Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion."
ReplyDelete-Edmund Burke, Speech to the electors of Bristol
The Prime minister sounds like a politician hiding trying to have it both ways (I know, shocking). Whether or not you agree with any given policy, at least defend it on it's merits.
I love that quote, Matt. And it adds another dimension, for sure, to this whole thing. The guy is, in essence, divesting himself of any responsibility to even consider what he believes it is right or wrong.
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