Democracy breeds mediocrity.

In a democracy we get the politicians we deserve.

In a democracy we choose leaders whom we suspect will be cowards:

 *  leaders too weak to lead

 *  leaders who make all decisions on the basis of “will it be a vote-catcher?”

* * *

The latest cave-in from idealist to cringing, media-intimidated, feminist-browbeaten robot is Australia’s federal Opposition leader, Mr Tony Abbott.

On the television show, 60 Minutes, the other day, Liz Hayes asked him, “Do you approve of abortion?”

He replied, “I guess in the end I’m a bit like Bill Clinton on this matter, who said that it should be safe, legal and rare – and I underline rare . . . .”

So is Mr Abbott not a Catholic after all?

* * *

It doesn’t matter much who runs the government — after they’ve been in parliament five minutes they’re all the same.

What DOES matter is how the Church sticks to its guns.

If Australia’s bishops speak with one voice — and speak only what God teaches – the people of Australia will respect them, listen to them and believe them.

Australia’s politicians will come to fear and tremble each time they open their mouths.

The Catholic Church has blown its credibility often enough – but, like its Founder, it can rise from the dead.

* * *

Mr Abbott’s best chance of surviving politically (and of surviving Judgement Day) is to make a public retraction.

He must say, “What I told the media about ‘safe’ and ‘legal’ abortion was wrong. I am against all abortion.”

Abortion is always wrong. But abortion, like every sin, is something that God will forgive if the sinner repents.

Making cowardly statements when cornered by anti-Catholic journalists is also a sin. But that, too, is forgivable.

* * *

God is very merciful, as well as very just, in his judgements.

It isn’t too late yet for Tony Abbott — who has thrown himself into the rubbish-bin of compromised, fortitude-deficient has-beens — to climb back out again.

We must ask God to help him.

We should all pray for him.