- Home
- News Releases
- Cardinal Calls on Westminster Politicians to Respect Conscience
Cardinal Calls on Westminster Politicians to Respect Conscience
- By SCMO
- Published 11/06/2008
- News Releases
SCMO
5 St Vincent Place, Glasgow G1 2DH
T: 0141 221 1168
F: 0141 204 2458
E: mail@scmo.org
View all articles by SCMO
This reality is a constant feature of human nature across times and cultures. It is why the truth that we proclaim finds a resonance in the hearts of people of goodwill. We know that many people of faiths other than our own, including Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh, who believe in the sanctity of unborn human life, join with us at this present time and are continuing to seek through their ongoing efforts a change in the present laws.
Yet our culture does much to dull that inner voice of conscience. A feature of our age is the incessant noise, the lack of quiet, endless distraction; the ipod and mobile phone ensure silence and reflection are the preserve of very few. As a result we cannot but help notice that consciences among even some who ostensibly see themselves as loyal Catholics or champions of the life have been dulled even so far as to acquiesce with what is euphemistically called a right to choose.
It is in teaching with confidence and faith that we can begin the much needed task of awakening consciences in our society. I believe in fact the campaigning of recent months has already contributed to that task. We do not have the peace and harmony which arises from clear conscience, instead we see doubt and division, compromise and confusion which are the fruits of a false conscience. These are manifested not just in issues around abortion and embryology but across a spectrum of social issues which exhibit time and again some of the hallmarks of a society in decline.
Conclusion:
Those involved in political life have an important role in promoting the common good and resolving the troubles of our time. In my final words I remind you of those other words from St Paul in his letter to Timothy: "Fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid hands on you. God's gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and
self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord".
That is precisely what all involved in political life are called upon to do at this present time, relying on the strength and direction of the Lord.
As Paul said to Timothy: "I remember you in my prayers". I will do that for each one of you, as I ask you to pray for myself and all those of the Christian faith or of other faiths, who are at this present time trying to witness to their own faiths and acting according to their consciences.
Ronnie Convery
Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Glasgow
196 Clyde Street
Glasgow
G1 4JY
Tel: 0141 226 5898
Fax: 0141 225 2600
www.rcag.org.uk
Yet our culture does much to dull that inner voice of conscience. A feature of our age is the incessant noise, the lack of quiet, endless distraction; the ipod and mobile phone ensure silence and reflection are the preserve of very few. As a result we cannot but help notice that consciences among even some who ostensibly see themselves as loyal Catholics or champions of the life have been dulled even so far as to acquiesce with what is euphemistically called a right to choose.
It is in teaching with confidence and faith that we can begin the much needed task of awakening consciences in our society. I believe in fact the campaigning of recent months has already contributed to that task. We do not have the peace and harmony which arises from clear conscience, instead we see doubt and division, compromise and confusion which are the fruits of a false conscience. These are manifested not just in issues around abortion and embryology but across a spectrum of social issues which exhibit time and again some of the hallmarks of a society in decline.
Conclusion:
Those involved in political life have an important role in promoting the common good and resolving the troubles of our time. In my final words I remind you of those other words from St Paul in his letter to Timothy: "Fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid hands on you. God's gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and
self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord".
That is precisely what all involved in political life are called upon to do at this present time, relying on the strength and direction of the Lord.
As Paul said to Timothy: "I remember you in my prayers". I will do that for each one of you, as I ask you to pray for myself and all those of the Christian faith or of other faiths, who are at this present time trying to witness to their own faiths and acting according to their consciences.
Ronnie Convery
Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Glasgow
196 Clyde Street
Glasgow
G1 4JY
Tel: 0141 226 5898
Fax: 0141 225 2600
www.rcag.org.uk