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National Australian Newspaper Praises Cardinal for Standing Firm on Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Calls him “a major intellectual standing up for ‘eternal truth’”

By Elizabeth O’Brien

SYDNEY, Australia, June 12, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Sydney based national newspaper, The Australian, praised Cardinal George Pell and Brian Hickey for remaining firm on Catholic Church teaching regarding embryonic stem cell research.

In a June 8 editorial, entitled “Three Cheers for a Man Prepared to Defend Moral Absolutes”, the paper admits that it respects Catholic leaders who take a moral stand. Even though The Australian supports embryonic stem cell research, it praised archbishop Pell, saying, “But it is wonderful, in an age where the concept of a knowable truth has been rejected by scholars in favour of universal relevance, to find a major intellectual standing up for ‘eternal truth’”.

The editorial refers to Archbishop Pell’s recent warning to Catholics about a new bill put through Australian parliament. The bill legalized various forms of embryonic cloning and research. Prior to the vote, Pell addressed Catholic politicians and said that they could not in good conscience support the bill or there would be “consequences for their place in the life of the church.” (see http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jun/07060511.html)

Shortly afterwards, Archbishop Brian Hickey of Perth acted similarly and was put under investigation for a supposed “threat” made to Catholic politicians. The accusation referred to the bishop’s statement that, “Catholics who vote for the cloning of embryos destined for destruction are acting against the teaching of the Church on a very serious matter and they should in conscience not vote that way, but if they do in conscience they should not go to communion.” (see http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jun/07060708.html).  Pell and Hickey did not threaten to excommunicate anyone, but rather hoped that politicians would respond positively to Church admonitions.

The Australian editorial emphasizes that through these actions, Archbishop Pell (and bishops like him), are doing their duty as faithful Catholic leaders. The article continues, “It is, after all, Pell's responsibility to remind Catholics of the rules that apply to Catholic lives. Catholics are not supposed to have an abortion, use birth control, cheat on their spouses or vote for legislation of the type that passed yesterday through the NSW parliament, that would allow destruction of human life, including human embryos.”

“This is a fixed Catholic position. It doesn't change with the times. Pell does not refer to opinion polls before deciding which legislation to support, the way politicians do. He is a man of firm principles by which he stands.”

In the modern age, the editorial explains, countless people live contrary to Catholic teaching, even though they claim to belong to the Church. A Church leader such as Pell, however, can never justify embryonic stem cell research no matter how beneficial the results. The Australian also points out that Australian Prime Minister John Howard, a non-Catholic, agreed that Pell and Hickey should not compromise their own teaching.

Reaffirming the archbishop’s actions, the paper states, “Pell has done well to remind Catholics that there is another set of rules, older than parliament, older than time, that is central to their faith, indeed to the passage of their souls into heaven.”

The paper concludes, “Nobody says Australians have to live by Catholic rules. But the Catholic Church says Catholics must live by those rules, and that's all Pell is saying.”

Read the Original Editorial in The Australian
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21867633-7583,00.html

See Related Coverage:

Australia's Cardinal Pell Seeks Ban on Embryo Research
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/feb/05021111.html

New South Wales Votes for Cloning, Archbishop Stands Fast
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jun/07060806.html

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