ST. JOHN’S, June 10, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Rev. Des McGrath, a retired Catholic priest is running for the New Democratic Party in the current election despite the fact that the Catholic Church forbids priests to run for political office. However the situation is further complicated by the Catholic priest’s promise not to vote against abortion. McGrath, the NDP candidate in the Random—Burin—St. George’s riding of Newfoundland and Labrador, was featured in the Toronto Star recently as a “pro-life” candidate of the NDP attempting to show the diversity within the party. The point was made starkly with another NDP candidate in the same province being a founder of a local abortuary. McGrath even stated to the Star: “I’ve told the NDP that I’m pro-life and that if anything comes up in that regard, I would vote pro-life.” However, with the abortion issue central to the election, the NDP which is officially pro-abortion and pro-homosexual ‘marriage’ said it would not tolerate dissent on the issue. Rather than put the right to life for all human beings above his political aspirations, Rev. McGrath betrayed his faith convictions.
In a recent CBC radio report, the CBC announcer led, “The Catholic priest says he hasn’t made up his mind yet on same sex marriage.” That was followed by a reference to abortion and a clip from Rev. McGrath stating, “I would abstain from voting on that issue, which would be to say to the world that I’m against abortion but I won’t embarrass the party.” LifeSiteNews.com could not reach Rev. McGrath’s bishop for comment. Calls to Rev. McGrath were not returned. See the Toronto Star coverage: https://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1086300609926&call_pageid=968332188774&col=968350116467