The training session is being held over two days, August 28 and September 25, and is meant for catechetical leaders, teachers, and parents. Fr. Gravel will be joined by Fr. Rémi Bourdon in leading the sessions.
In May of this year Fr. Gravel lashed out against Cardinal Marc Ouellet, then-Archbishop of Quebec City, slamming the prelate for having insisted that the unborn’s right to life should be protected in all circumstances, even when a child is conceived in rape.
Fr. Gravel has been an vocal critic of the Church’s teachings, particularly those regarding homosexuality and abortion. In 2006, he led a group of 19 priests in producing an open letter against the Church’s teaching on homosexuality.
The same year he took office as an MP with the support of his bishop, the Most Reverend Gilles Lussier, violating canon law which forbids a priest to serve in public office.
While in office Fr. Gravel opposed pro-life legislation and backed the decision to award arch-abortionist Henry Morgentaler with the Order of Canada
He has repeatedly criticized Cardinal Ouellet, who has worked tirelessly at reversing the rampant secularization of Quebec society.
Ouellet was appointed last week as prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops, and the priest did not hesitate to issue a parting shot as the Cardinal leaves for Rome.
He told Cyberpresse last week that Cardinal Ouellet’s time in Quebec has been a “fiasco” and that his views caused unease among Quebec’s priests and bishops.
“We need bishops who are close to Quebec reality, and not a dogmatic man,” he said. While abortion is an evil, he added, we must consider the distress of women who have been raped.
SIC: LSN