British Government Buckles Under Papal Pressure

Although I can't say that I am very sad about it, the UK "Equality Bill" has been killed in the British parliament. This bill, which would have sanctioned religious groups for refusing the ordinations of same-sex "clergymembers," was unpopular from the very beginning. However, it was not until Pope Benedict XVI criticized the bill openly in an address to visiting UK bishops that the British government decided to pull the plug.

This event bears great significance in the light of Benedict's upcoming visit to the British isles later this year. It demonstrates that the UK is very aware of Rome's influence, and is willing to react one way or the other to the tremendous pressure exerted by religious forces within the country.

The Queen, for her part, is less than thrilled at the Vatican's latest attempts to make inroads with the Anglican church. As the figurehead leader of that church, she is concerned (and rightly so) that Anglicanism's recent liberalization has undermined its strength vis-a-vis the Roman Catholic church.

At any rate, it will be interesting to see how Benedict's UK visit will affect the country's political and religious atmosphere.

This article can be found at the Catholic News Agency.

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British government retreats after Pope's critique of Equality Bill

London, England, Feb 3, 2010 / 06:16 pm (CNA).- After criticism from national religious leaders and Pope Benedict XVI, The British Government has retreated from plans to implement an Equality Bill many saw as oppressive of religious freedom.

The rules of the failed anti-discrimination proposal could have barred groups from requiring Christian sexual ethics from youth leaders. Some warned it could have also made the male-only priesthood of the Catholic Church illegal.

On Monday Pope Benedict said the proposed laws imposed “unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs.”

A source at 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s residence, told The Telegraph, “We are clear that these parts of the Equality Bill should not go forward. The Pope's intervention has been noted.”

Many Catholic Labour Ministers of Parliament are reportedly upset that the new bill has provoked such strong reaction from Rome.

Naomi Phillips, head of Public Affairs at the British Humanist Association, characterized the pope’s remarks as an attack on “modern, liberal values” and said they further motivated her group’s opposition to the Pope’s state visit to the United Kingdom.

Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols told BBC Radio 4 that the Pope was “certainly not” getting involved in party politics but was trying to give his “reasoned voice” a hearing in the public debate.

The archbishop thought Pope Benedict’s words will find an echo among many in Britain who are “uneasy” that an unintended consequence of recent legislation would “drive religious belief and practice into the sphere of the private only.”