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CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE ASKS GOVERNMENT TO SCRAP HOMOSEXUAL HATE CRIMES BILL

OTTAWA, April 17, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Msgr. Peter Schonenbach, General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, has written Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon Regarding Bill C-250 - An Act to Amend the Criminal Code regarding hate propaganda. Writing on behalf of the Conference, Rev. Schonenbach writes: "Our concern with Bill C-250 is not about the objectives of prohibiting the incitement or willful promotion of hatred or the advocacy of genocide. What troubles us is the possibility that someone who finds the expression of the beliefs of the Catholic Church on the sexual conduct of homosexual persons too blunt or too harsh will invoke the Criminal Code to silence the teaching."

The letter points out that "the Catholic Church teaches unequivocally that sexual behaviour between people of the same sex is morally wrong and in no circumstances can be approved." However, it also notes that: "The Church considers hatred to be a sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in article 2303: Deliberate hatred is contrary to charity. Hatred of the neighbour is a sin when one deliberately wishes him evil. Hatred of the neighbour is a grave sin when one deliberately desires him grave harm."

While homosexual activists have claimed that they are not seeking to attack religions with the bill, recent court actions such as the Marc Hall case have demonstrated otherwise. "We are aware that the supporters of this Bill suggest that this concern is without legal foundation but, given the challenges to religious freedom in the last few years, we are not willing to rely on these assurances," says the letter.

The letter says "it would be unwise to proceed with the amendment proposed in Bill C-250." It suggests further that if, after studying the issue, the government feels such limitations on freedom of expression are required "complementary amendments are also made to protect the freedom of Canadians to express their religious beliefs and Church teaching without fear of criminal prosecution."

See the full letter on the CCCB website:
http://www.cccb.ca/PublicStatements.htm?CD=&ID=1349

See related LifeSite coverage:
HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVISTS FEIGN NO INTEREST IN TRAMPLING RELIGIOUS RIGHTS
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/feb/03020602.html

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