On tolerance.

Vatican City -- Pope Benedict insists that tolerance is not indifference. "Tolerance implies concern and respect for others, not indifference" (Zenit, Sept. 29, 2006). He explained that "every form of indifference is radically contrary to the profound Christian concern for man and his salvation."

The common view of tolerance is more like that of Elizabeth May of the Green Party of Canada who, in a discussion centred around 'gays' and lesbians, asserted that "we must be tolerant of everyone--Jesus sat down with tax collectors and prostitutes (TVO, Oct. 6, 2006)." But as the Pope pointed out earlier, "Truth and love are two faces of the same gift that comes from God ... No voice in the New Testament rises with greater force to highlight the reality and the duty of fraternal love between Christians; yet the same voice addresses itself with drastic severity to the adversaries who were members of the community but are so no longer." This is apparent in Canada where both former Prime Ministers Jean Chretien and Paul Martin repeatedly pronounced themselves as Catholics but pushed abortion and homosexual 'marriage' legislation with vigour.