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Home : Top Stories : PM did not pocket communion wafer: spokesman

PM did not pocket communion wafer: spokesman

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wednesday Jul. 8, 2009 6:58 PM ET

Canada may have its own fuzzy Zapruder film.

Controversy has broken out over a film clip that shows Prime Minister Stephen Harper taking a communion wafer, but does not show him consuming it.

However, a spokesperson for Harper said the prime minister "immediately" swallowed the wafer, which the Roman Catholic church considers sacred.

"At the end of the service, he was offered communion. He accepted communion and he consumed it," Dimitri Soudas said

But video of the incident, available on YouTube, shows the prime minister accepting the wafer from the priest and not consuming it for the duration of the time Harper is in frame, which lasts about five seconds.

The incident occurred at the Roman Catholic funeral of former governor general Romeo Leblanc in Memramcook, N.B.

A Roman Catholic priest says it's unclear if Harper pocketed the wafer -- as some critics allege -- and said if that allegation was true it would be scandalous.

"It's worse than a faux pas, it's a scandal from the Catholic point of view," Msgr. Brian Henneberry, vicar general and chancellor in the Diocese of Saint John in New Brunswick, told the New Brunswick Telegraph Journal.

Harper is a Protestant and would not normally consume Roman Catholic communion.

"If the prime minister is not a Catholic, he should not have been receiving communion and if he comes up it places the priest in an awkward position, especially at a national funeral because everyone is watching," Henneberry said.

Soudas defended Harper taking the wafer, which Catholics consider to be the body of Christ and Protestants consider to be a symbol, saying: "Who is he to judge a priest offering him communion?"

Harper is in Italy for a G8 summit and has an audience with Pope Benedict on Saturday.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Jason from SK
said
0 0

The video clearly shows that he did not eat that wafer.

I may be an atheist but when I participate in weddings, funerals, and other religious rites, I have enough respect for participants to treat their rituals and beliefs with respect and dignity.

Clearly Mr. Harper only has respect for his own beliefs, which explains why he refuses to work with other parties or look out for the rights and needs of ALL Canadians.


rose
said
0 0

T thought you had to be catholic to take communion in the church?


KJ in Kingston Ontario
said
0 0

Some people will swallow -- and some won't... It's just a personal thing. (Much like Bill Clinton's inhaling or lack thereof back in his Oxford days).


Nanookski
said
0 0

I wouldn't accept it either. In our Church, we get to take our own bread, and drink. This is the proper way, not being dictated/controlled by a dude in a robe. Who knows where his hands have been?

Seriously.


Dave from Toronto
said
0 0

He's not Catholic...he should never have accepted the wafer in the first place!


Sean from Winnipeg
said
0 0

This is newsworthy? This is 'scandal' worthy? Are we grasping at straws again, looking for new ways to paint the Prime Minister as a villain?


Think before your comment idiots
said
0 0

The camera was only on the PM for a few seconds, so we dont know if he ate it or not. And priests can't even decide if he should have taken it or not, so how can we fault the PM for his actions.

Get over it, this is a non story.


Mark in Toronto
said
0 0

Is this the best scandal that the MSM can come up with? I know Iggy hasn't exactly been swinging for the fences lately, but to run a story on a "stolen" communion wafer? This is really pushing it.


J in NB
said
0 0

I am not a Conservative, so do not think I am making excuses for "my party".

I am a Catholic but honestly believe reform is desperately needed in my church. Allow marriage or ministers, allow women priests, birth control, same sex etc.

Now this to me is not an issue. Harper was at a funeral, if he was not a Catholic maybe he didn't know enough not to take the wafer. If he did pocket the wafer maybe he did so because he feared the backlash over not respecting catholics and Mr. Leblanc etc.

In short, don't like Conservative gov't, do like the Catholic church although favour reform, and am not offended by anything Mr. Harper did... while at the funeral.


Adam, Montreal
said
0 0

There are two things im upset about here. The first is that he has a duty like anyone else to know the custums of the church he is attending. He didnt. and as a result didnt know the proper behaviour to decline communon. Secondly that the spokemen for him is not telling the truth. I was televised we can see with our own eyes. Those things aside. I think we can be thankful this happened on the national stage, instead of the international one


Pete
said
0 0

Would not have Christ himself invited ANYONE to His table?


PM
said
0 0

It is not 'unclear' if it would be inappropriate for anyone who doesn't subscribe to the Catholic belief that : [the Host is the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, who is God] to receive the Host. It is clearly inappropriate, because it is impossible for any such person to treat the Host with the appropriate (intended) respect, since they believe it to be a piece of bread.

That being said, I can understand how the PM was confused, seeing as how the presiding Catholic priest also seems to be confused.

What should have happened (and what the PM's aids should have explained to him) is that he should have crossed his arms in front of his body when he went up, so that the priest would give him a blessing instead of the Host.


West Coast Guy
said
0 0

It's all about whether or not the Prime Minister and his spokesperson are being honest.

After seeing the video it is obvious Harper did not eat "the host" when it was presented to him so he must have pocketed it. This is another case of lack of honesty by the Prime Minister and his spokesperson.

Taking communion within a Catholic Church service is one of the most sacred of rites I know, I used to be a Catholic.

If you didn't know what to do, don't lie about not eating it.


Mr. T in WPG
said
0 0

Who really cares if he did or didn't. Some people don't have much to do other than complain about anything and everything these days.


Steven in Halifax
said
0 0

He should have never accepted the waffer unless he did his first communion and where Harper is not catholic, chances are he hasn't.


Brian Alberta
said
0 0

Who says he pocketed it?
We just dont know. We only know he didnt eat it. Despite what the spokesmen say


Mike in Morris, MB
said
0 0

For crying out loud. I grew up in a Protestant church (Mr. Harper is a Protestant), and you used to take the bread yourself... some churches waited until everyone had theirs, and THEN ate it. Other churches you eat it as soon as you get it.

The smartest thing he could have done was watch the others around him to make sure he was partaking properly, however one would have to forgive him for not eating it right away if he is not accustomed to this tradition. At least he was attempting to show his respects.

And nobody can say he didn't eat it; you have no video evidence and would be jumping to conclusions if you did.


Wm Hunter - Calgary
said
0 0

Much ado about nothing. Lighten up - take no offence where no offence is intended. I'm not Catholic and although I do know the significance of the wafer, I'm not in any way up to speed on proper communion protocol. I would be just as likely to pocket the wafer to save it for when the wine is served. If a Catholic Priest has nothing better to do than to take umberage at what would likely be a simple social faux pas made out of unfamiliarity with Catholic ritual perhaps he would find another vocation more suited to his outlook on life.


john from Saskatoon
said
0 0

I wonder whose little gem this was, was it an Iggy or a Bobbie or a Stefan thing I would really like it if these opposition politicians and their minions would quit acting like Morons there are more important things on this planet than whether he did or did not eat the wafer


zwinky
said
0 0

This kind of nonsense is why I don't attend any church and decide for myself what is right in my own spiritual life.

Religion in general and particularly the R.C. church seem more focused on picayune control issues like this one rather than the real well-being of their members and humanity in general.


THE Fatman
said
0 0

OK, so how about once the media finish with this 'story' we just turn Stevie over and see if the wafer's under him, if not, then we'll turn over..... And just so ya all know I'm putting my money on the guy in the middle....


my take on this
said
0 0

If we didn't waste so much time, money and lives believing in an adult bogeyman this wouldn't be an issue.


Angus McIntosh
said
0 0

When I take communion I dont always eat the bread, wafer or whatever is presented to me at that very moment. Two reasons: 1- some places want you to hold it till all are served and it is then blessed and then you partake 2. - I often take a few moments with the bread in my hands to say a prayer.

Besides it don't matter if you alre hnonoulring Jesus Christ whether you eat it right a way or later after gettling right with the Lord.
In short this is just some troublemakers trying to stir up trouble. The Lord will judge them and me also.


traderron
said
0 0

Jason from SK: clearly you are physiclly incapable of eating a wafer with your head being so far up another part of your anatomy. How the heck to you take 2 seconds of video and leap to your absurd, completely irrelevant conclusion? The man took the wafer - body of Christ, no less - and likely put on on e-bay under a nom-de-plume. And Michael Jackson bought it.


David
said
0 0

Ritual cannibalism - no place in modern society.


Zoe, Calgary
said
0 0

This is news worthy why?????
People should learn to lightening up, at the very least get a life. Harper couldn't win this one no matter what he did so get over it!!!


Gag me with a spoon!
said
0 0

This is a new all time low in an attempt to smear the Prime Minister and is just more proof that Leftyism is a serious mental disorder. Never thought I's see the day the National Enquirer is more credible journalism that this garbage.


Dunny from Manotick
said
0 0

This is news? Sacred or not, who cares.


JPF
said
0 0

The biggest jerk in this story is Henneberry, not Harper.


Cindy Good (originally Calgary, now CSL Mexico
said
0 0

While I am not a catholic I have been to catholic ceremonies and have NEVER been presented with the sacrament at the pew. If you are not Catholic, perhaps you would not be fully aware of what is being handing out... and what would the headline have read if the PM has refused 'the host' with a wave of his hand - I am sure that would not have gone unnoticed. Stephen Harper did not step forward to receive communion, why then did communion come to him when of all the people in that church, his religion is on file???


G
said
0 0

Shame on the media for this.
Shame on the Vicar for suggesting inappropriate behaviour with insufficient evidence.

Shame on the Vicar for not having Outrage for the Churches cover up of sexual abuses of our children and turning them against Christ and the church!!!


AB
said
0 0

To Jason from SK

Non Christians are not permitted to take part in the sacred act of communion so I would bve rather offended if you came to my church and treated my religous beliefs with "respect and dignity" meaning you participated in communion,

another point since Harper is a protestant and likely is allowed to take part in communion at his own church why is a catholic priest getting so riled up is this back in the days of the reformation?


Samantha
said
0 0

Ummm, I'm protestant, and we also have communion people. During weddings, our catholic friends participate. We are honored by their presense in our church and honored that they accept communion along side of us. It means the EXACT same thing to both churches, being body of Christ. Some of us consume it in line and some of us wait till our entire family has their wafer and consume it together.

I take HUGE offence to ANYONE who critisizes ANYONE on how they practice their religion. Anybody who thinks unkind of how someone accepts communion in ANY church, is not a true follower of either Protestant or Catholic. Churches are supposed to extend and reach out to others. Not condemn on imaginary practices. If God wanted us to only honor him in only one way, then God would have had an 11th comandment passed on to us all.


keith
said
0 0

What next a stunning expose on using the wrong fork at dinner for the salad? Talk about something substantive people. This is just pathetic!


Remarkable
said
0 0

Christians, regardless if you are protestant, catholic or even orthodox take communion. It is a partaking of the body and blood of Christ and what he has done.



Devolin
said
0 0

Maybe he wanted to accept it however when the guy gave it to him our PM noticed something unsanitary on the Priests hands.


Diane M.
said
0 0

There is a bigger issue here.It was a state funeral and only Roman Catholics were actually welcome at what is supposed to be the Lord's Table. As for the did he or didn't he eat it- a pathetic attempt by a local Saint John newspaper to try to grab some national attention.End of non-story.


Shawn
said
0 0

Maybe he wanted to put some cheese on it first?


Dean
said
0 0

Are you people serious? Who cares what he did or didn't do in church. It's his business only. We should care more about what he does for our country than petty incidences such as this. Do you people want cameras following your every move as well? What's next? washing or not after toilet use? Get a grip.


Allan
said
0 0

Protestants take communion and communion is a spiritual act. A leader of faith should encourage people to participate in spiritual acts REGARDLESS of what brand of spirituality they subscribe to. Besides, when you really look at it, aren't catholics and protestants both branches of christianity?

Also, it is a sad commentary when a priest is using a video feed to spy on people in the church. Are there cameras in the confessionals now?


Guyinhalifax
said
0 0

Too funny reading all the Conservatives and right-wing people trying to say it's a non issue. If that was Iggy or Jackinthebox the Conservatives would have attack ads on the air already calling them out.


DK
said
0 0

Another reason to have Faith, and forget about Religion.


Tim
said
0 0

Another remarkable example of how sheer banality becomes news fodder. Who the h*** cares whether he ate the wafer or not and even if one does care how does it conceivably impact on effective public administration?


Mrs. Ogga
said
0 0

I just broke a shoelace.


Josh in Alberta
said
0 0

Two things:

First, you are only supposed to take part in communion if you are a Catholic (or Lutheran or Protestant or what have you). It's in fact more disrespectful to take part in a ceremony you shouldn't be involved in.

Second, why is this "scandalous"? It's really quite pathetic what passes for a national scandal in this country.


Raj
said
0 0

If he did take it, he would be wrong,It doesnt matter what he does,I am so wishing and hoping, that if Iggy gets in, every little thing he does is in the media - what a non issue this is.


Molly
said
0 0

Hennyberry must be a liberal or NDP to create such a fuss over ritualized cannibalism. In the 21st century don't people realize that this barbaric ritual is just sick?


Darcy Van Loo
said
0 0

What? Is the media running out of things to criticize him for? Who brought the charge, what's the motive, that's the story.


KJ in Kingston Ontario
said
0 0

This clearly demands a ROYAL COMMISSION.


Matt (Vancouver)
said
0 0

THIS is news?


Fraz
said
0 0

We must remember that this is not the table of any church but the table of Jesus and treat it accordingly. If you are a follower of Jesus then take part no matter which denomination one belongs.


V aka Layton in Moncton NB
said
0 0

There are far far better things we can pillory Stephen Harper for than this. Ask him about Bilderberg, ask him why the money in his stimulus package is mostly allotted but mostly unspent, or why we can give $2 million to the Calgary Stampede but $400 grand to the Pride Parade got the portfolio yanked from the minister. Maybe we could start looking into the Security and Prosperity Partnership with the USA and Mexico and his role in that, or how we're looking at a $155 billion dollar shortfall after TWELVE YEARS of surpluses. How as a professional economist he still has no idea about the economy, how he has made Canada an environmental laughing stock as he introduces misguided and poorly funded 'environmental' policies. A communion wafer is pretty small potatoes given what could be covered in this spot instead.


Rena R.
said
0 0

in some protestant churches the practice is for all to receive communion and then eat it all at the same time. It might be this confusion that caused him to wait. I was brought up catholic and now practice in a protestant church and I know I was confused at first.


Greg Baker
said
0 0

Wow! You would think there was a copy-right on communion judging by the reaction to our PM taking communion in Catholic church. Check the Bible, Jesus gave this to His followers as a ordinance for them to follow and to do so in remembrance of Him.


Michael
said
0 0

Who gives anybody the right to comment on the propriety on the PM's spiritual convictions and actions? Society needs to seriously back off commenting on things that is none of their business. These slipshod off the cuff judgments of other peoples business is making hypocrites of us all.

What the PM did or didn't do in church is his personal business and no one elses.




joshua
said
0 0

You do have to be Catholic to take communion, because it shows are in communion with the Church. Catholics themselves can only receive communion if they are free of mortal sin. It is very strict. Harper obviously didnt know the rule. The priest who gave it to him sounds like a modernists liberal priest and is just making up the rules. Every educated Catholic knows that Protestants cannot take communion in a Catholic Church.


Ben
said
0 0

Okay, imagine I'm from some foreign country. What will I think when I read the news and the best thing that CTV can come up with is a story about our Prime Minister and a wafer!? I am a Christian who takes communion and understands why, but regardless of whether Harper did or didn't, this story is in a word, pathetic.


Howard
said
0 0

Seriously?

This is news...?


Mike
said
0 0

The men and women who built this great Country of ours would be sickened at what you people find to bitch and complain about!


Holey Ghost Batman
said
0 0

This shows you how desperate Iggy and the Liberals are. I am not a Harper fan but who cares if he consumed the “Host” or not. This is not news.


Steve
said
0 0

Please tell me how this is news worthy? Furthermore, why is the Catholic Church in an up roar, I thought the Bible says to forgive??


Denis
said
0 0

Harper thought it was a bingo chip.


Raymond
said
0 0

How do I despise the Canadian media?
Let me count the ways.

You're worse than Fox.


mac
said
0 0

so what people ! .... am surprised he was even offered as a non Roman Catholic... because I have been to Roman Catholic churches for a service with friends who are RC and been TOLD by Priests that as a protestant (or nonRoman Catholic) i was not welcome to take communion etc!!!! you can guess what I thought of that... as unlike my church (Protestant) we welcome all ...
the fact that previous comments indicate people are ballistic about this is unbelievable and a waste of time ... people - RELAX !


Tom Canning - Aggassiz B.C.
said
0 0

Two things wrong in this tale -
1) Harper should NOT have left his seat to approach the priest.

2) the Priest should have announced that NO protestant could receive the host - and should not have offered the Host to a known Protestant.


Protocol Please
said
0 0

So what if he did pocket it? The question is asked, "why did he accept it"?

I have to ask, "Why was he offered one"?

Clearly, any clergy entertaining the Prime Minister of Canada should have done their homework and afforded him the courtesy of offering or not as is proper.

Shame on this minister for putting the Prime Minister of Canada into an awkward position in the first place!

Shame on the rest of you, who think it's your place to criticize him for being put into this awkward situation by an unthinking priest.


Pip
said
0 0

So the clip doesn't show Harper consuming it "for the duration of the time Harper is in frame, which lasts about five seconds."

Did the Youtube poster indicate that Harper consumed it later when he was out of frame? Or is this just a matter of posting a select clip for nefarious purposes?

Either way, I fail to see why such a thing should even turn up on the news. Has CTV even made efforts to ensure that there is any truth to the rumor, or is this article a case of helping spread the rumor?

More to the point, is there nothing of greater importance to report on?



Rick in Nb
said
0 0

Harper did not recieve communion therefore his soul was an unclean vessel. The host symbolizes the body of Christ and is to be recieved by a pure soul free of sin. What he did, he did for his own reasons, not respect.
Quit knocking my religion just to make Harper look less stupid.


Ann
said
0 0

To Steven in Halifax
First Communion is a rite in other churches namely the Anglican Church. The Roman Catholic church does not allow non Roman Catholics to participate in the rite of communion. However in the Anglican Church you can participate in the communion as long as you are a baptized Christian.
On the grand scale of everything going on in the world is this really an important story!


wow
said
0 0

This is a story?!? Are you kidding me??

First if all, "Adam, Montreal", he is simply a man trying to attend a funeral. No one is forced to know the customs of the church they are attending for an event. In fact the Church, with its achaic beliefs on anything ranging from birth control, same sex relationships and evolution should be happy to have the leader of our country and the national media in their house. Secondly how do you know his spokesman is lying? Were you there and watched him pocket it?
Also Msgr. Brian Henneberry, I respect your belief system but comon "Scandalous"?!?! Get over yourself and your church. Believe it or not Canada is a secular nation, therefore it isnt his duty to know your rituals!

Im disgusted by this story. Why not talk about how incompetent he is, or what he has accomplished (if anything).. You know, like news??

Way to be CTV!!!


MD
said
0 0

Obviously, Harper has brought the wrath of the Flying Spaghetti Monster down upon all Canadians.

Flee, flee.

Pfbt!


Hindusan
said
0 0

Why is this news? So the PM didn't eat a wafer. I hate Stephen Harper on many levels, but give the guy a brake here. Maybe he doesn't like the taste?


Craig Smith
said
0 0

Governor General rebuked for taking Communion. (World).(Canada's Adrienne Clarkson an Anglican)(Brief Article)

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-98370562.html


Katie
said
0 0

What a totally stupid story. Who cares if he ate the wafer or not. The media is desperate to make Harper look bad.


Craig Smith
said
0 0

Anglicans take communion too. The ignorance for the sake of partisanship in these comments is overwhemling.


Evangelical Base
said
0 0

I don't see the problem.

Harper is an evangelical, not a catholic.

I would consider it a greater insult to Catholics to "pretend" to partake in their ritual, than to quietly not eat the waffer...


Bible cemetary er seminary graduate
said
0 0

Rick in Nb - you don't know your theology very well, in fact not at all. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God" which makes your statement of a 'pure soul' theologically incompetent.

terri
said
0 0

The Liberals are getting desperate. Come on people are you kidding me. This is so stupid.


who cares
said
0 0

Why did he do it? Great opportunity for a photo. I wish he would stay away from those. His nose looks longer by the day. Mybe he should consider having a nose job. Looks more like Pinokia every day.


Gerry the x
said
0 0

Harper needed to not accept the host. It's quite acceptable to remain in your seat, while others receive the host. But to go up and accept the host and then not eat is as bad as eating it and not being Catholic. The issue could have been dealt with easily. Oh my God, I hear the thunder clouds already!


PM is the ANTICHRIST??
said
0 0

I would like to see the PM disappear - believe me I would, but hiding the wafer is probably not a deciding factor.
What is even more worrisome is that a number of people are taking it seriously. whether or not the PM pockets the communion bread is really not an important issue.
However, if he lied about what he did with the communion bread - that IS an issue.


Amazed_at_this
said
0 0

Funny that, religion at the heart of another conflict...we must separate church and state.


Tony G.
said
0 0

David hit the nail squarely on the head with his denunciation of the cannibalistic overtones of the bread ceremony.

In fact, that ceremony is positively creepy. I'm glad that I'm no longer Catholic.


Mar
said
0 0

Oh for Gods' sake!~ Get a life!


Mark
said
0 0

If you look closely in the video, the priest approached the pew where the Prime Minister was standing. The PM did not approach the priest. Secondly, the PM put his hand out on its side, as though he wanted to shake the priests hand. Most people who are looking to recieve communion dont put their hands out on its side. When the PM was suddently handed a wafer, he probably didnt want to insult the guy by giving it back. Maybe the priest should have asked the PM if he wanted the wafer before so rudely assuming that he was RC. Not everyone in this world is RC *shock and gasps!*


Henry Wysmulek
said
0 0

That's the beauty of Freedom of Religion, you do your thing and I do mine.

None of us are under any obligation to participate in someone else's superstitions!


Jason from SK
said
0 0

@ AB: When I attend a church, my respect and dignity is offered by NOT participating in services - even when presided by my uncle, an ordained priest and missionary. Thank you for assuming that I would desecrate your holy symbol.

@ traderron: Thank you for your insightful comment.




Justin
said
0 0

The priest gave it to him, probably caught him off guard and he didn't know what to do. No harm done but it sounds like his spokesman needs a better explanation since it's obvious from the video that the official line is bs.


BCMike
said
0 0

Alot of the confusion comes as a result of a misunderstanding of different Christian beliefs ... Protestants generally consider communion to be a symbol of Christ, whereas Catholics and Orthodox churches believe communion to be literally Christ himself. That is why Catholics kneel before the altar. When the red candle is lit, it means Christ is present at the altar (in otherwords, there is consecrated communion in the tabernacle). And it is because Catholics believe it to be litterally the body of Christ, that is why so much reverence for the communion is expected and why the Msgr was concerned about how it was being treated. Because non Catholics do not believe this, they cannot receive it. Personally, as a Catholic, if an honest mistake is made, then all is forgiven. But when situations like this occur, it is a good excuse for everyone to get a little lesson about what your neighbour believes in so we all know for the next time.


A host of humour
said
0 0

Did any of you people consider that in these tough economic times he needed it to help feed his family?


Grey county Jim
said
0 0

Can't we discuss something important? Hasn't Obama stepped on an ant this week or something?


John Dickey
said
0 0

Get a life folks!!

John from SK


Dan - Chatham, ON
said
0 0

People we have better things (eg. economy etc.)to worry about if Prime Minister Harper swallowing a wafer at late Governor General's Funeral. Any one baptize can receive the body of Christ. Mr. Harper has to live with this and this is none of our concern...lets move on.


Marty
said
0 0

Even if he did not consume it, why should that be wrong? Harper is a Protestant, and not partaking in Roman Catholic communion might be against his conscience and it may violate his principles and beliefs--as in the wafer is not the real body of Christ as the Catholics believe.

Would we be talking about this if a Muslim leader did not partake of the wafer? No! But there is a double standard when it comes to Harper and also to Christians. This is not simply a matter of a leader offending someone at a mere ceremony. So, I applaud Harper if he did not take the wafer because it shows that he stands by his beliefs and principles no matter who that may offend...something I know that any politically correct fool would not understand!


waynestunes
said
0 0

He's not worthy.lol


dawn
said
0 0

from what i saw he didn't eat it. and i have seen the youtube


mike from three hills
said
0 0

the liberals are at it again the VID shows nothing this is getting to be a joke the libs don,t need attack ads they have the press working for them shame on you your job is to report the news not make it up


Gord. Robson, Nova Scotia
said
0 0

DO we have nothing better to do than try and smear our elected Prime Minister who was attending a funeral and showing respect to a departed
Liberal?

Lets grow up and worry about
something important for a change! Makes me wonder that Mr. Harper must really be doing a really great job
if this is all we can find to
complain about!


Keith in Brampton
said
0 0

Harper's aides should have advised him on proper procedure - either he should not have gone up at all, or he should have crossed his arms across his chest and received a blessing.

That said, RC priests seldom take the time to point this out - which, on an occasion where many in attendance would be non-RC, they should take the time to do. To assume that non-RCs know the Church's position on this is a bit much.

Personally, I find the RC clergy (though not necessarily the church's lay adherents) to be very exclusionary rather than inclusionary - which seems, to me, to contradict pretty much all the teachings of Jesus.


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I applaud the budget, even though Health Care and education may stay unscathed. Sadly this cannot last and I worry to later this year where cuts will become enviable. If anything, this provides the Wildrose Alliance plenty of ammo when an election is called.

J Stad

Alberta going for broke with record $4.7B budget deficit

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