The European Union Parliament approved a controversial choice for their top health official:
The question of how Christians can or should reconcile the requirements of their faith with the messy business of politics has been debated since St. Augustine of Hippo in the fifth century. Politicians and bureaucrats having to figure out how to reconcile personal beliefs with their professional responsibilities is nothing new.
I wonder if the fact that Mr. Borg is from Malta, one of the few countries in Europe (or anywhere) that bans abortions without exception, is leading to increased concern about his candidacy. For this reason, the timing of Mr. Borg's appointment, on the heels of the controversy in Ireland over a similarly absolute abortion ban, is poor.
Links:
Reuters article published in the Chicago Tribune about the EU Health Commissioner from Malta (November 21, 2012): EU lawmakers approve abortion critic as top health official
The European Parliament backed a devout Catholic as EU health commissioner on Wednesday, brushing off critics who fear the Maltese politician could row back on EU policies on stem cell research, abortion and gay rights.Or is he a controversial choice? I don't know anything about Mr. Borg or the powers that come with his portfolio as health commissioner-- he could be a figurehead that oversees a largely entrenched and independent bureaucracy, for example. I don't think the fact that he is Catholic, by itself, should disqualify him from the position. While the Catholic Church has obviously influenced reproductive politics in many countries over a long period of time, lay Catholics, even "devout" ones, obviously disagree with the Church on many issues and are capable of exercising independent judgment.
Greens, Liberals and Socialists in the European Parliament had said they would vote against Tonio Borg, a former foreign and justice minister in Malta, saying his beliefs could influence EU policy.
As commissioner, Borg's remit would include access to healthcare and contraception and the control of sexually transmitted diseases.
Borg, who was in Malta on the day of the vote according to an EU Commission official, told EU lawmakers before the vote that his personal views would not affect his role as health commissioner. (Source: Chicago Tribune)
The question of how Christians can or should reconcile the requirements of their faith with the messy business of politics has been debated since St. Augustine of Hippo in the fifth century. Politicians and bureaucrats having to figure out how to reconcile personal beliefs with their professional responsibilities is nothing new.
I wonder if the fact that Mr. Borg is from Malta, one of the few countries in Europe (or anywhere) that bans abortions without exception, is leading to increased concern about his candidacy. For this reason, the timing of Mr. Borg's appointment, on the heels of the controversy in Ireland over a similarly absolute abortion ban, is poor.
Links:
Reuters article published in the Chicago Tribune about the EU Health Commissioner from Malta (November 21, 2012): EU lawmakers approve abortion critic as top health official
Comments