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1. This case should be profoundly disturbing to all Catholics (and indeed all those who value reigion in society), regardless of one's theological opinion about the ordination of women, married or homosexually active people.
   At its heart, this issue is not a theological one about who can be ordained; it is about the right of a religious faith to practise its beliefs in freedom. Even more insidiously, it reveals a rapidly growing trend of rabid secularism, which seeks to place all religious groups under the authority of secularism, the new 'one true faith'.
   This development in the UK is not a progressive move towards greater freedom and equality; it is a regression based on fear of religion. And like all bullies, the rabid secularist opponents of religion deal with their fear by attacking and oppressing. If allowed to continue in this vein, it will inevitably lead towards a more and more totalitarian society. It is scarily reminiscent of the early trends in other totalitarian regimes.
   Sadly I am sure this will not be the last example we see in our movement towards a Brave New World.

   Posted By: Fr Andrew Chase, Mackay

2. This is a scene where freedom of religion is being progressively overruled by secularism. The fear of secularists and their need for total control is scary.
   When I view the regimes in the world who control religion I see a path of red blood.
   The fact that both John Paul II and Benedict XVI emerged from controlled regimes gives some idea of God's plan despite human wants philosophy.

   Posted By: JoRene

3. After proudly siding with the secular crusaders against the secular sins of sexism and homophobia, how can the catholic church honestly say it didn't see this one coming.
   Satan's motives may be vile, but his logic is impeccable.

   Posted By: Nathan Socci

4. On the bright side, it would be good if priests were compelled to spend more than 51 percent of their time in worship or explaining doctrine.

   Posted By: Peter G

5. Here come the gay bashing and the hate, fear mongering in the name of our dear Catholic faith. This is spiritual violence.

   Posted By: TJ Lawson

6. More fear mongering and hysteria from the institutionally self-interested and prophetically limited. For once, just once, could clerics and their allies actually think> Do you all really think that the British government is truly heading towards some sort of collision with Catholicism at this level? What is really going on is that the good bishops and crew are using fear so to feebly gather support for the RC. If the Good News as proclaimed in Britain has to resort to these degrading strategies then perhaps the State should become its employer.

   Posted By: MJ

7. That this is sad is an understatement. What about the legislation that prohibits Catholics from becoming British Prime Minister, or ascending the throne? A society that seeks to eliminate discrimination, yet maintains discriminatory clauses, most covertly, against catholics who mean to serve the country and humanity.

   Posted By: Chike Sokoto

8. Catholics are obviously faced with a more subtle and deadlier foe than those who have devastated the church with physical violence in the past - a foe that calls for all our wit and prayer, and the grace to endure this latest persecution.

   Posted By: Richard

9. Well said, Fr Andrew Chase. I've often thought that these social engineers and secular strategists must have read Brave New World and taken the World State's methods as a blueprint, failing to recognise that Huxley, a non-believer, was ringing out a warning against the State as God, and doing so in the mode of scathing satire.

   Posted By: James

10. This hardly merits everyone getting into the vapours. What a beat up. If the government spokesman says there is an exemption for religious ministers, why assume he/she is lying? The Catholic News Service website, which is the source of the article, also has another article May 2009, in which their proclaimed expert lawyer in discrimination, Neil Addison said: “He said the Equality Bill currently before the British Parliament attacked freedom of association by denying churches the right to choose their employees, with the exception of priests and religious teachers.” http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0902445.htm. Maybe the law is undesirable, but it is not the asserted shocking attack on selection to the priesthood, unless it has since been amended. But priestly work would eventually get defined through court challenges. And by the way, how many priests do “building maintenance”?

    Posted By: Boutros Neru

11. This Bill is totally unworkable. What next?

    Posted By: Br Bernardine FHC

12. If I were in England after this law is passed telling God what to do, I would get as far away from there as quickly as possible - before God strikes.

    Posted By: John

13. May the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob have mercy on us all. The Blessed Mother of Jesus would have been the first Pope or Priest if there was a equality bill. Just go the 613 prescriptions of the Mosaic law and see what God said.

    Posted By: monica

14. It is rather obvious that England is turning back the hands of time in it's proposed attack on the Church.
    The next thing you know is that the clergy will be exciled or killed.

    Posted By: Buzzy G.

15. As a lawyer with some experience in human rights law, I suggest we view this threat very seriously. There was a similar hostility in the recent Victorian government review of freedom of religion with the Labor politician chairing the review, one Carlo Carli, being on record he wants to erase the Catholic Church from the public sphere (ie schools, hospitals, media, public expression). With an election next year, the heat has gone out of that one for the time being but let there be no doubt the hatred felt toward Catholicism is real and dangerous. I'm afraid TJ Lawson the UK government has every intention of white anting Catholicism at every turn till (in their dreams) there is nothing left.

    Posted By: Daniel McGlone

16. Could this be the Abomination spoken by Daniel, and Christ in the Bilble? This inclusive Global Church?

    Posted By: John

17. With "new" and "alarming" attacks from all side, esp. from the European Court, until and unless Catholics learn how to pay heed to Jesus' teaching to "pray always". none of this is going to 'go away' any time soon.
    "This, too, will only be cast out by prayer and fasting." NT teaching!

    Posted By: Marie

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