Catholic politicians in NSW, including Premier Morris Iemma, say they will vote for controversial stem cell legislation despite a warning by Cardinal George Pell that they risk being barred from communion.The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Mr Iemma and his deputy, John Watkins, will defy the church's warnings that they face "consequences" in their religious lives to support a bill to expand stem cell research in NSW.
The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, said Catholic MPs would need to think seriously about taking Holy Communion, the sacrament central to Catholic life, if they voted for therapeutic cloning.
Mr Iemma and Mr Watkins yesterday confirmed they would back the bill, while the Nationals MP Adrian Piccoli, another practising Catholic, said he would support the bill, adding "I would like to see them try and stop me [taking Holy Communion]."
Mr Piccoli said: "The cardinal's comments are unacceptable. We don't accept that Muslims should influence politics, so I don't see why Catholics should.""I'm going to vote for it," Mr Piccoli told The Australian.
"Muslims are berated for trying to bring religion into politics, so I'm not going to be accused of the same thing. This is a decision for my conscience, and what is in the best interests of my electorate."
A spokesman for Mr Iemma said the Premier would continue to take Holy Communion despite Dr Pell's warning.
Dr Pell said he was not threatening Catholic MPs with excommunication but he did not rule out that their "yes" vote could "loosen" their bonds with the church, which strongly opposes therapeutic cloning.
The lower house was last night due to begin debating whether to allow scientists to obtain stem cells from embryos through a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer. If passed, it would mirror federal legislation.
Human cloning for reproduction will remain banned in NSW. MPs will cast their conscience votes today.
The Minister for Science and Medical Research, Verity Firth, said the Catholic Church was entitled to its views, as were advocacy groups representing people who could benefit from expanding stem cell research. "I don't want anyone feeling they have a monopoly on morality," she told the Herald. "This is about relieving human suffering and having hope when there is none."
Another Catholic, the Liberal MP Greg Smith, said he would not support the bill but believed it was matter for each individual's conscience, while the Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, also a Catholic, said he would consider Dr Pell's comments before deciding whether to vote for the bill.
But Cardinal Pell told the ABC's PM program that he is not suggesting politicians will be excommunicated, but is leaving open the option of denying communion.
"I don't believe in crossing bridges before you get to them and I am hoping all the Catholic politicians here in New South Wales will do the right thing," he said.
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