National Breaking News

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Canadian papal contender suggests Catholic church needs 'new evangelization'

By: The Canadian Press

Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2013 at 7:56 AM | Comments: 0

Canadian Marc Cardinal Ouellet arrives for a meeting, at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 6, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Alessandra Tarantino

VATICAN CITY - The Canadian cardinal who could become the next pope says the Catholic church has to take on a "new evangelization" to help those who do not believe in God.

"This is a great drama of our times, you know to live without God," said Marc Cardinal Ouellet in an interview with CBC Television.

"They need the Creator, they need this relationship. It is vital, you know, for family life, for social life, for fraternity, for peace."

Ouellet says the church has to respond to the needs of people who aren't religious.

When asked whether he believed the church needed to forge ahead on social issues such as its positions on gay marriage and abortion, the 68-year-old Quebecer was evasive, saying questions on those areas were "secondary."

Ouellet did share his views on the role of women in the church, however, saying "there is much more to do."

While he would not support the ordaining of women, Ouellet said many women were already working in key positions in the church.

"This is open to further development, but we have to go you know with the time. And it is not easy to move forward," he said in what was the second instalment of a two-part interview.

Ouellet leads the powerful Congregation for Bishops in the Vatican, which vets bishop nominations worldwide, and has worked in Latin America and in Rome.

The former Archbishop of Quebec City is often regarded as a conservative figure and has drawn criticism in the past with his opinions on social issues.

He came under fire in Quebec for anti-abortion remarks he made in 2010 when he said abortion was unjustifiable, even in cases of rape. His words drew angry reactions from women's rights activists and a number of politicians.

He has also spoken out against gay marriage, calling it "a big crisis."

Ouellet is considered one of the front-runners to replace the retired Pope Benedict, who stepped down last week citing a lack of strength to do the job.

Pre-conclave meetings are currently underway at the Vatican. An official date has yet to be set for the conclave during which a new pope will be elected.

Rate this
This article has not yet been rated.

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments

You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

There are no comments at the moment. Be the first to post a comment below.

Post Your Comment

The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.