Catholic priest, Lemire emails blogger

Catholic priest, Lemire emails blogger, "It would have been nice if you could have gotten your facts correct before writing your article."

From: "Father John Lemire"
To: caribookidca@yahoo.ca
Subject: facts are important

Sun, 17 Jul 2005 20:50:03 -0500

Dear Rick:
I just had an opportunity to read your article "MP refused communion "over a handshake"." It would have been nice if you could have gotten your facts correct beforewriting your article. The issue about Mr. Angus has nothing to do with the handshake. It has everything to do with Mr. Angus' public dissent from the teaching of the Church and his vote on third and final reading of Bill C-38.

If you had checked your facts, you would have known that Mr. Angus was more than welcome to receive Holy Communion during the entire debate of Bill C-38. I would have hoped that the graces of the Sacrament would have strengthened him to make the right decision at third reading.

Nonetheless, Mr. Angus has made his choice about this issue and now he has to accept the consequences of this decision.

I pray that one day he will see the errors of his ways and seek both personal and public reconciliation with the Church.

Sincerely,
Father John Lemire
Father John Lemire, Pastor
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish
PO Box 818
New Liskeard, ON P0J 1P0

---------

The Father is referring to an article I wrote upon learning Charles Angus was being refused communion. Here again the Father Lemire is being silly. The priest told the Ottawa Sun that he was incensed when he saw Charles Angus shake Bill Siksey's hand after that member completed his speech on Bill C38, the Civil Marriage Act.

It is my point that Charles Angus, MP would likely have continued to receive communion had the Father not seen the handshake with Siksey after the speech. The Priest was pretty upset and called Charles Angus on his cell. (They have a close relationship if Angus has shared his cell number). The "public act" of shaking hands sealed the fate for Charles Angus.

I understand that the priest did not refuse communion just because MP Angus shook hands with a gay MP. At least not strictly on that basis. Like a lot of what the Catholic Church is unable to come to grips with, they ignore many members that do things such as practice birth control, support pro-choice rights and the act of divorce.

Bishops like Bishop Henry have decided to draw a line in the sand. They are willing to tolerate desent from members on a range of issues, issues other than "gay" marriage.

Shaking the hand of a gay MP may not have been the soul reason MP Angus has been denied communion. It was the the final straw for Father Lemire. It makes one want to know how the actions of Catholic MP's elsewhere are left without public rebuke, official sanctioned action.

Just what is important to the Catholic Church and just how much involvement should they have in politics?

Rafe Mair makes a few good points on Gay Marriage here at the Tyee.ca

For more information on social conservatives, Stephen Harper, gay, same-sex or equal marriage, James Dobson, evangelicals, Focus on the Family, Bishop Henry, use the Technorati search box in the side bar here and at Queer Thoughts.

Tags: Catholic, Canada, marriage equality, gay, marriage, NDP, Gay, Queer, Gay Marriage, Christian, James Dobson, Stephen Harper, Conservative Party of Canada, Politics