It is no secret that I have been a relatively high-profile critic of a range of social policies introduced by this Labour government in its legislative programmes over the last decade. Not for nothing have they been called the most anti-family and anti-life government in recent history.
Their horrifying promotion of experimentation on unborn embryos and the creation of human/animal embryos; their depressing, almost enthusiastic support for abortion; their leaning towards euthanasia by neglect; their campaign to undermine the spiritual and social bonds of marriage and the family with its championing of gay adoption and civil partnerships; their policies that economically advantage young single teenage mums to set up home excluding the child's father and that reward partners living together over couples who choose the bond of marriage; their failed and disastrous sex education policies for the young creating soaring levels of sexually transmitted diseases and escalating numbers of teenage pregnancies. I could go on.
This Labour government's policies have led to so much illness in society, crime, debt, family breakdown and frightening community disorder. It is a terrible indictment to be levelled against any government. But, whenever possible, I have always tried to focus my criticism on the party's policies rather than on any individual, which brings me to the issue of the former Labour Party leader, Tony Blair.
A great deal of unfortunate and misinformed views and remarks have been expressed following Mr Blair's conversion to Roman Catholicism. The Catholic Faith is not an elite private club. Catholicism is not a small, privileged group. The Church exists for everyone. It is God's saving message for all mankind. It is a refuge for repentant sinners (that is an apt description for all of us, not just Mr Blair). It is a patient and forgiving teacher of Christ's profound truths. Mr Blair now, like the rest of us, has declared that he believes everything the Church teaches to be the revealed truth. He has thrown himself on God's mercy and has asked for forgiveness. It is regrettable that some would have Mr Blair walk barefoot in sackcloth and ashes and make a public recantation of his sins. That being the case, I would in similar fashion have to follow alongside him and so would everyone else I know. It would be quite a procession.
Of course people are struggling with his former anti-Catholic voting record on so many issues close to their hearts and conscience. But we have all offended God in so many different ways and, like Mr Blair, we too have thrown ourselves on God's mercy. God alone will judge him and us. We must all hope and pray that God does not judge and condemn any of us as we deserve.
Rt Rev Joseph Devine, Bishop of Motherwell, Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Good Aid, Motherwell.
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