Back from the oblivion

A hectic diary of late, combined with laziness and summoning the energy to compile opinion on so many issues of late, has led to my lack of posts. I do wish in one way that I had stayed an ever present, especially with some fascinating and controversial storylines since Christmas. The big debate once again that has arisen from the John Terry affair - Does a footballers private life really matter when it comes to being an example on the pitch? Is the stereotypical football fan really bothered about the fact that the England captain has been playing away, just as long as it doesn't influence his performance on the pitch?

The additional complication of the woman he had an affair with being a teammates ex girlfriend, as well as the allegation that he paid her to have an abortion further complicates this one and brings in so many more questions and dilemmas. Effect on team morale, will there be support for the captain or is his authority going to be undermimed, huge moral questions surrounding the allegations that he used his financial clout to "quick fix" the problem. When these factors are added to the equation, one can start to understand why Capello has taken the decision to strip Terry of the England Captaincy, especially being so close to the World Cup. Under no circumstances should England's chance at the World Cup be jeopardised, not when we've got out best squad in years with the best chance in years of glory! (Take note national press by the way, if your on side stop making such an effort to disrupt pre-tournament morale and plans!!)

Apparently, the Popes defence of his clergy, the Church and religious freedom for our Country in his Ad Limina address was a direct attack on the rights of homosexuals and other marginalised groups.

Your country is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society. Yet as you have rightly pointed out, the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs. In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed.

I urge you as Pastors to ensure that the Church’s moral teaching be always presented in its entirety and convincingly defended. Fidelity to the Gospel in no way restricts the freedom of others – on the contrary, it serves their freedom by offering them the truth. Continue to insist upon your right to participate in national debate through respectful dialogue with other elements in society. In doing so, you are not only maintaining long-standing British traditions of freedom of expression and honest exchange of opinion, but you are actually giving voice to the convictions of many people who lack the means to express them: when so many of the population claim to be Christian, how could anyone dispute the Gospel’s right to be heard?

The above is merely a snippet of Pope Benedict XVI's address, but I'd advise such people to have a proper read through it all. He is staunchly defending our right to have religious freedom, our right to adhere to the religious traditions that have co-existed in our society for hundreds of years, before this ludicrous government starting inventing over the top nitty gritty laws that have no sensitivity to anyone. It is the agenda of Harriet HarmMEN that should be scrutinised and opposed by England as a united nation.