Pope Benedict condemns Equality Bill
By Mark Greaves

1 February 2010

Pope Benedict XVI has strongly condemned the Equality Bill, saying that it limits religious freedom and "in some respects actually violates natural law".

He made the remark in a frank and wide-ranging speech to the Bishops of England and Wales, who are in Rome on their five-yearly ad limina visit.

The Pope said: "Your country is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society. Yet as you have rightly pointed out, the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs.

"In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed," the Pope said.

The Government's Equality Bill, introduced by Equality Minister Harriet Harman, was amended by peers last week amid fears that it would force the Catholic Church to ordain women and make it almost impossible to discipline priests who contravened Church teaching without facing legal action.

In his speech, made today, Pope Benedict urged the English and Welsh bishops to "be generous" in implementing Anglicanorum Coetibus, the Pope's provision for Anglicans who want to enter into full communion with the Church.

The Pope said: "I am convinced that, if given a warm and open-hearted welcome, such groups will be a blessing for the entire Church."

Pope Benedict also referred to his visit to Britain for the first time.

He said: "Even amid the pressures of a secular age, there are many signs of living faith and devotion among the Catholics of England and Wales. I am thinking, for example, of the enthusiasm generated by the visit of the relics of St Thérèse, the interest aroused by the prospect of Cardinal Newman’s beatification, and the eagerness of young people to take part in pilgrimages and World Youth Days."

The Pope continued: "On the occasion of my forthcoming apostolic visit to Great Britain, I shall be able to witness that faith for myself and, as Successor of Peter, to strengthen and confirm it. During the months of preparation that lie ahead, be sure to encourage the Catholics of England and Wales in their devotion, and assure them that the Pope constantly remembers them in his prayers and holds them in his heart."

In his speech, Pope Benedict warned the bishops not to overlook dissent among the faithful.

He said: "If the full saving message of Christ is to be presented effectively and convincingly to the world, the Catholic community in your country needs to speak with a united voice. This requires not only you, the bishops, but also priests, teachers, catechists, writers – in short all who are engaged in the task of communicating the Gospel – to be attentive to the promptings of the Spirit, who guides the whole Church into the truth, gathers her into unity and inspires her with missionary zeal.

"Make it your concern, then, to draw on the considerable gifts of the lay faithful in England and Wales and see that they are equipped to hand on the faith to new generations comprehensively, accurately, and with a keen awareness that in so doing they are playing their part in the Church’s mission.

"In a social milieu that encourages the expression of a variety of opinions on every question that arises, it is important to recognize dissent for what it is, and not to mistake it for a mature contribution to a balanced and wide-ranging debate. It is the truth revealed through Scripture and Tradition and articulated by the Church’s Magisterium that sets us free," the Pope said.