Pope's Call to Action sees Christian Democrats Make Election Pledge for Religious Freedom
The call by Pope Benedict XVI to resist the government's Equality Bill has been welcomed by Christian Democrat politicians in Britain, who say they will make the issue of Christian conscience and freedom of religious expression a key part of their election campaign for local councils and Parliament. The Christian Peoples Alliance party - founded by an alliance of Roman Catholic and evangelical Christian politicians - says that all three major secular parties cannot be trusted to uphold Britain's Christian heritage of freedom and tolerance.
The Christian Peoples Alliance is now campaigning for a Religious Equality Bill which guarantees the same right of Christians to manifest their beliefs as the rights of sexual minorities to live according to their own preferences.
Commenting on Pope Benedict's assessment that the legislation "violates natural law", Dr Tom Rogers from the CPA National Executive said:
"All Roman Catholics have a duty in these coming elections to vote for candidates and parties which respond to the clear guidance of the Holy Father. As Christian Democrats, the CPA has taken a clear stance on this issue which Roman Catholic voters - and other Christians of all traditions - can trust. Whether nationally or locally, the Christian Peoples Alliance will fight the imposition of values and policies which stand counter to the Gospel and Catholic social teaching."
In elections last to the European Parliament, the Christian Peoples Alliance - workingith the Christian Party - won votes from a quarter of a million people. In London,here the party intends to run hundreds of local Council candidates in borough elections the Christian ticket has consistently polled among the highest of any minor party over the past decade.
Dr Tom Rogers, from Lincoln, and on the National Executive of the pro-life, SPUC, added:
"We value what the Pope has said and look not just to the bishops but also to the laity to fight on this issue. Across Europe, Christian Democratic parties were formed to resist the Jacobinist, secular assault on religious liberty. The Equality Bill is just one issue which brings us concern and is causing the CPA to organise in British politics. Catholics will also be concerned about government plans to make Roman Catholic schools teach that abortion, sex outside marriage and homosexuality are acceptable practices for children. No other party is fighting this, so the case for Christian Democracy is being made loud and clear. "
