Intolerance of the Church

The Roman Catholic Church tries to be a very powerful force in culture, sometimes in a manner that is intolerant and negative. That isn't often the case in the United States where that power is balanced by other interests, but in many countries there is no competition and, so, no balance. Take, for example, the Philippines...

Marit Stinus-Rmonde writes in the Manila Times:

Many of us see priests as God’s representatives on Earth. Thus, priests have great power. What they say and do carry great weight. With great power comes great responsibility, right? Unfortunately, rather than use this great power to reach out and inspire people who need inspiration and a sense of being cared for, no matter who and what we are, the Archdiocese of Cebu has now made it policy to discourage so-called sinners from receiving communion. Who are these so-called sinners? They are drug lords, mistresses, remarried divorcees, users of artificial birth control and politicians who are supporting the Reproductive Health Care Bill.

So, a couple seeking sterilization because they don't have access to reliable birth control and because they want to make sure that they can provide a minimal standard of living for the children they already have now qualify as "criminals" alongside drug pushers? Is that really appropriate?

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