In an interview with a local newspaper, Montreal, Canada, Cardinal
Jean-Claude Turcotte has said that while he is against abortion "I can
understand that in certain cases, there is almost no other
choice than to practice it".
Lifesite News reports that Le Devoir newspaper published a story based on an interview with
Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte of Montreal, during which the Cardinal
contradicted the teachings of Catholic Church on abortion and condoms.
"Personally, I am against murder," Cardinal Turcotte was quoted as saying, "but can understand that sometimes, when someone is being
attacked, they need to kill someone in self-defense. I am against
abortion, but I can understand that in certain cases, there is no other
choice than to practice it."
Cardinal Turcotte made the comments in the context of addressing the
announcement of the excommunication of those involved in the abortion
of the twins of a nine-year-old Brazilian girl. He called the move by
Brazilian Archbishop Cardoso of Recife, who had announced the
excommunication, a "clumsy move."
During the interview, Cardinal Turcotte also addressed the controversy
over Pope Benedict's remark against condoms during his recent trip to
Africa. According to Cardinal Turcotte, it would be "ridiculous" to
suggest that Pope Benedict said condoms should not be used.
"Essentially, the pope said that it took two things to fight this
disease, the means, but also a change of mentality. He pronounced this
sentence to show that condoms were not in and of themselves the perfect
solution; we took his words out of context and all this was largely
amplified," said Cardinal Turcotte.
"As if the pope had said that condoms should not be used. This is
ridiculous! When someone has AIDS, it is his or her responsibility to
protect the people with whom he or she has intercourse."
Correction: The word "almost" was missed in the original quote
attributed to Cardinal Turcotte. It has now been included. The
original error, also now corrected, was in Lifesite News report.
MORE @
Montreal
Cardinal: "I am against abortion, but I can understand that in certain
cases, there is almost no other choice than to practice it." (Lifesite News)
Rencontre avec le cardinal Turcotte - L'Église est en quête d'un équilibre entre le dogme et la pastorale (Le Devoir)
LINKS
Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte (Montreal Archdiocese)
Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte (Wikipedia)