PM brushes off threats of damnation, will press on with gay marriage law

OTTAWA (CP) - Brushing aside threats of eternal damnation, Prime Minister Jean Chretien promised Tuesday to push forward with legislation that would allow gays and lesbians to marry.

Chretien appeared unfazed by a warning from a Roman Catholic bishop that his government's same-sex marriage plans will jeopardize his eternal soul.

If he has issues to settle with God, Chretien suggested he won't be resolving them inside the House of Commons.

"I'm a Catholic and I'm praying," the prime minister said, smiling, after a cabinet meeting.

"But I'm the prime minister of Canada. When I'm the prime minister of Canada, I'm acting as a person responsible for the nation.

"And the problem of my religion, I'll deal with it in other circumstances." .....

Now that, my friends, is leadership; knowing when to put aside your own personal religious views and so what is best for the people of your secular country, many of whom many not believe as you do. It is always a tough choice, and many may not thank you for it. Many, in fact, will be ready to condemn you for it. If only I could say the same for our Sunday-school-teacher-in-chief.