Premier can't have it both ways, says Catholic Insight editor

Plunging headfirst into the Ontario election campaign, the editor of Catholic Insight, magazine has condemned Premier Dalton McGuinty for "scandalizing" a group of students by saying he could separate his personal Catholicism from his public life. McGuinty told a group of students at a Markham Catholic high school that his "private" faith doesn't determine his positions on public policy.

"There is no such thing as a 'private' Catholic faith," says Father Alphonse de Valk. "From the original biblical scriptures to the teachings of the Catholic Church today, it is made clear that Christians cannot live a 'double life' and try to separate their faith from what they do and say."

Fr. de Valk has said on the Catholic Insight website that the only party worthy of endorsement is the Family Coalition Party of Ontario, which takes a strong stand against abortion and such issues as gay marriage.

Catholic Insight doesn't have a measured readership,but it is believe to be quite small. A page of advertising in the 10-times-a-year publication costs $800.