Sunday, January 10, 2010

Catholic ban on women priests 'illegal under Harriet Harman equality bill'

The Roman Catholic ban on women entering the priesthood will become illegal under Harriet Harman's controversial Equality Bill, according to Christian charity, CARE.

A new report by the leading charity – backed by a legal opinion from a leading QC – says the Bill will make it impossible for all churches and faith-based charities to insist that their senior staff lead private lives in accordance with their religious beliefs...

John Bowers QC said in a legal opinion for CARE that the Bill could make it unlawful for a church to require a priest or minister to be male, celibate and unmarried, or not in a civil partnership...

2 comments:

swissmiss said...

My best friend in college had a boyfriend from England and he sang this song ALL the time. Wretched. And he would dance a little jig while he sang. The song alone is enough to make one dislike Henry VIII.

Mark said...

Vincenzo:

a) in terms of clerics, I’m not sure anyone would actually attempt prosecution under this legislation. Secondly, my understanding was that it primarily applied to public bodies, which the non-’established’ Catholic Church isn’t.

b) even if someone attempted prosecution, no Judge worth his salt would allow an action to be lodged. It would be thrown out. It’s daft…

c) in terms of Catholic charities, though; that’s where the real issue is. To talk about clerics is a red-herring.