UCA News
Contribute

"Devoid of moral competence:" bishop blasts UK leader

Prime Minister David Cameron is facing a hail of criticism after declaring himself in favour of women bishops and gay marriage.
Devoid of moral competence: bishop blasts UK leader
Published: December 10, 2012 04:54 AM GMT
Updated: December 09, 2012 05:12 PM GMT

A Roman Catholic bishop has delivered an extraordinary attack on David Cameron by accusing him of being “devoid of moral competence” and comparing him to Nero, the brutal Roman emperor who persecuted Christians.

Joseph Devine, the Bishop of Motherwell, said he considered the Prime Minister “out of his depth” and Christians cannot trust him given the “contradiction” between his statements on religious matters and his actions.

He also used a two-page letter to Mr Cameron, to accuse him of “belittling” the Church of England by attacking its reluctance to ordain women bishops.

The outspoken criticisms mark a new low in relations between Downing Street and the Catholic Church in the wake of the Government’s decision to legalise gay marriage in England and Wales.

The Church is also upset the Prime Minister has refused to support moves by Christians to go to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to demand their right to wear the cross.

In a separate move, Philip Tartaglia, the archbishop of Glasgow, said it was a “great disappointment” that Mr Cameron’s plans to change the laws on royal succession would not end the anomaly that bans the monarch from being Catholic.

Bishop Devine used his letter to accuse Mr Cameron of claiming to be an advocate for Christian values while undermining freedom of conscience and family life.

“You vacillate, ambivalent about the role you wish to perform – the disciple of David or Nero,” he wrote, referring to the ECHR row over the cross.

“With such a contradiction between your statements and actions, on what basis can you expect anyone – Christians in particular – to trust or respect you?”

Nero is known as the first-century emperor who “fiddled while Rome burned” and is reputed to have had Christians burned in his garden at night to provide a source of light.

Accusing the Prime Minister of acting with “indecent haste” to legalise gay marriage, the bishop added: “I suspect it is only a matter of time before you go one step further and outlaw the teaching of Christian doctrine on sexual morality on the grounds of discrimination.”

He also attacked Mr Cameron’s call for the Church of England to “get with the programme” by allowing women bishops, arguing he was setting a bad example by “belittling the nation’s established church”.

“So what next for David Cameron’s spiritual mission?” the bishop asked sarcastically.

“So far as the Roman Catholic Church … is concerned, you are out of your depth. We will take no finger-prodding lectures from anyone or any group devoid of moral competence.” He argued religious freedom was not respected in the UK under Mr Cameron’s premiership.

Full Story: Bishop launches attack on David Cameron over gay marriage 

Source:Telegraph

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia