Australian premier rapped for lobbying pope

Sydney, July 8

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should not be pressuring

Pope Benedict XVI to make Australian nun Mary MacKillop a saint, a prominent Jesuit priest said Wednesday.

Frank Brennan joined other leading Catholics in criticising Rudd for arranging a meeting Wednesday with the pope at which Rudd said he would encourage the pontiff to have MacKillop canonised.

"I think it would not be appropriate for him to attempt to lobby," Father Brennan told the national broadcaster ABC.

Rudd has been accused of courting the Catholic vote by trying to make MacKillop Australia's first saint before the next general election.

MacKillop, who died 100 years ago, was beatified in 1995 for her good works. She is believed to have cured a woman of cancer and needs one more approved miracle to become a saint.

Rudd is to meet the pope at the Vatican.

"The sheer arrogance of the prime minister, believing he can lobby the pope on behalf of Mary MacKillop, is quite frankly offensive," opposition Liberal Party member of parliament Christopher Pyne said this week. "The path to sainthood is a very serious process, and it doesn't include lobbying by the leaders of countries."

Last updated on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 08:56 am IST--DPA

Possibly related news:

Other News Headlines

Top political leaders hit campaign trail in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Nov 21

Campaigning has gained momentum in Jharkhand where the first phase of the assembly elections is due Nov 25. Senior BJP leaders L.K. Advani and Rajnath Singh hit the campaign trail Saturday, while the Congress has fielded its star campaigner Rahul Gandhi who will address many rallies across the state.

BJP may split if RSS takes charge (Comment)

It's never been a secret that the Hindu supremacist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is the friend, philosopher and guide of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The gurudakshina, or tuition fee, which the BJP leaders routinely pay to the head of the umbrella Sangh Parivar, testifies to their master-pupil relationship.

US does balancing act on India and China

Washington, Nov 21

In a balancing act on the eve of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's arrival here on a state visit, the US says it looks at India and China as "two rising powers" with whom it would have to deal very closely with in the coming years.

Poll freebies get trendy in Jharkhand

Ranchi/Jamshedpur, Nov 21

Election freebies in Jharkhand are getting trendier, with caps, paper goggles and mobile phone covers carrying party logos and icons being freely distributed ahead of the assembly polls.

Particles from car brakes can harm your lungs

London, Nov 21

Tiny particles released by car brake pads can harm lung cells, according to new research.

Enter Your Name and Email below and Post your comment
Name	Email:
Comment:

Please login to use this service
Usermame :
Password :
Quick signup \| Forgot Password