ETOBICOKE, June 29, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Jean Augustine, the pro-abortion, anti-family Liberal candidate for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, defeated pro-life Conservative John Capobianco by nearly 10,000 votes. In spite of her well-known and long-established anti-life, and pro-homosexual views, Augustine, a former Catholic school principal, celebrated her victory at Holy Angels Catholic Church.
The parish pastor, Rev. Edward Swaitek, responded to LifeSiteNews.com questions about the incident with apparent surprise that his actions had drawn attention. He said, “The Liberals came to me and asked to rent the hall.” When it was pointed out to him that the Conservative candidate was pro-life, he replied that he could not endorse a particular candidate. “I didn’t rent the hall to him because he didn’t ask. The Liberals ask every time there’s an election.”
When asked if he had made any attempt to inform his congregation as to the issues of importance to Catholics in the election, or any issues at all, he replied that he had to remain neutral. “I did what the chancery told me to do,” he said. “I told them there was a vote and to vote according to their consciences. They’re Catholics, they know the issues. I never brought up any of the issues from the pulpit; I can’t get involved.” Rev. Swaitek said that Augustine’s views on abortion were well known in the parish since an unknown pro-life person or group had leafleted the cars in the parking lot. He also admitted that the parish received the pro-life newspaper, The Interim. When asked how allowing a militantly pro-abortion candidate to celebrate her victory in his parish hall corresponded to remaining neutral, he said that it had not occurred to him to ask about the position of the candidate. “I have been getting quite a few calls. I am going to call the chancery office and ask what the policy is. (The Liberals) won’t get the hall next time.” Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition said that Rev. Swaitek’s understanding of his duty was incorrect. He said, “How can Catholics inform their conscience if the priests refuse to teach?” Hughes went on, “This is a constant thorn in the side of Catholics who are loyal to the Church and its teachings,” he said. “They become very dismayed and discouraged when a priest supports a pro-abortion candidate with his actions, which speak louder than any words from the pulpit, in the face of clear instructions of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.” Calls to the Archdiocese of Toronto were not returned by press time.
To contact the Archdiocese Chancery: Catholic Pastoral Centre 1155 Yonge street Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1W2 Telephone: (416) 934-0606, ext. 602 ; FAX: (416) 934-3433 email: [email protected] * See also previous LifeSiteNews.com article on Canadian Bishops’ Winnipeg Statement. It is the basis for frequent direction given by Canadian Catholic leaders “to vote according to their consciences” or act according to conscience, rather than teaching the obligation to adhere to unchangeable moral truths which must be part of conscience. Bishops’ infamous 1968 Winnipeg Statement seen by many as main source of problem https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/apr/04042705.html