A good article - right on the button.
However people such as Pell et al have long demonstrated a total indifference to secular common sense - preferring suffering 'souls' to no 'soul' at all. That anyone with even a modicum of brains can argue for deliberate population increase irrespective of prevailing social circumstances beggers belief - even so, the catholic church manages to do so on a regular basis and the Pope is, as we all know, infallible. Perhaps the church is concerned that it will run out of children for sexually frustrated celibate priests to molest, or of young minds to distort by the joyous application of medieval rubbish, superstition, and guilt via pulpit thunderings and the cane.
Pell's outburst of nonsense is however another brownie point towards his ultimate goal which is, of course, the papal throne so all is not entirely lost. We may, in the fullness of time, get rid of him.

It seems that secularism could be becoming a religion in itself, although not as organized at present as more formal religions.

I can think of a few other “isms” that have become similar to religions, with various gospels and forms of worship.

I don’t know the full context of Cardinal Pell’s speeches, but perhaps he was referring to “meism”, where people are now so absorbed in themselves they no longer want to have any children.

Hmmmmm *secular common sense*.... good 1 Gymmy....

I actually thought that common sense was 'common' rather than being the sole property of the exclusive secular brethren.....?

Also... LUDWIG..or should it be HooodWINK....

Australia's fertility rate in 2005 was 1.77 ERRRRRR.. which part of that 'common' sense does not tell you that if 2 people only produce 1.77 new people.. that they the net result is a DEcrease in population.
Considering:
-Those unable to reproduce due to age (too high/too low)
-Those who die in accidents and due to sickness

Then..1.77 is WAY too low.

SOLUTION? aah.. let's bring in LOTS of people from other countries who:

-Don't speak our language
-Don't share our values
-Are tribal
-Who have foreign policy interests in conflict with ours.
-Bring in their historic conflicts to Australia.
-Do not integrate/assimilate well...

and the result is.. CHAOS.

The only problem with Cardinal Pells views are that they are most likely aimed at Catholics, and possibly have a 'power base' aspect to them.

Well done Valerie. God Bless You.

HRS “where people are now so absorbed in themselves they no longer want to have any children.”

Ah well, at least such ‘selfishness’ will not pollute the gene pool or carry into future generations.

On the other hand, who is the Church of Rome to tell anyone how to live when it is a paternalistic anachronism founded on sexual repression and terror?

To “can think of a few other “isms” that have become similar to religions”

And to the Church of Rome try

Despotism
Authoritarianism

Thanks for the article Valerie.

I distrust marital advice from 60 year old gents who wander around in red slippers, especially when they have never married or ever had to prepare a household budget or think about strategies for getting a house or a job. They are irrelevant to my daily life. Unfortunately these gents are keen to control my behaviour in the bedroom.