In early June, 2007, the Australian state Parliament of New South Wales debated proposed changes to the stem cell research laws. These proposed changes were mainly to deal with allowing the cloning, under specific circumstances, of embryonic stem cells to support medical research purposes. Researchers seeking the legal changes aimed to be able to expand their understanding of debilitating diseases that cause permanent quality-of-life impairment or even lead to death.
The most senior catholic representative of Australia, Cardinal George Pell not only voiced his disapproval of this bill, but went on to threaten the democratic process of Australia.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald article, dated 5 June 2007 entitled "Vote against cloning, or else, Pell warns":
"Cardinal George Pell has warned Catholic politicans they face 'consequences' in the life of the church should they vote for an 'immoral' bill before the NSW Parliament to expand stem cell research."
Qualifying his comments, Pell cited that while he wasn't saying that Catholic MPs who voted for the proposed amendments wouldn't be excommunicated, he did feel that such a vote would threaten their role in the church.
Thankfully, many Catholic MPs in the NSW Parliament ignored this pointed attack on democracy and medical research by following their hearts in a rare conscience vote, helping to get the proposed bill changes through the lower house of the Parliament.
While George Pell is of course entitled to his personal opinion on embryonic stem cell cloning, and to make that opinion publically known; however, by threatening Members of Parliament - those who have been elected or re-elected only very recently by the NSW population - he has clearly demonstrated his contempt for the democratic process.
Since the Commonwealth of Australia is defined as a democracy, not a theocracy, the blatent threatening of elected officials is hardly an appropriate or moral activity by such a senior religious figure.
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