The Difference Between an Opinion and a Threat.

It's a pity that Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott and Miranda Divine don't know the difference.

Labor leader Mr Rudd said the way individual NSW MPs reacted to the cardinal was a matter for them but the Sydney Catholic leader had every right to speak out on behalf of the church.

Mr Abbott said he had enormous affection and respect for the cardinal. "He was forcefully restating the standard church teaching and saying, 'This is what we expect Catholics to think about this. If this is not their view they need to think about what that implies,' " he said. "I didn't think it was an unreasonable thing for him to say."

In this brave new world of biotechnology, church leaders have a special obligation to unequivocally state church teachings on confusing moral issues. Pell is one of the admirable few who stand up for moral absolutes.

Bollocks to all of them!

The church, or any other interest group, has the right to comment on issues, and attempt to persuade or lobby parliamentarians to vote a particular way. However, in this case, Pell issued a threat. It was totally out of order.

It was also stupid and counter productive. His comment overshadowed the subject he was trying to influence.

The upside of this tawdry attempt to influence parliament was that it failed. The correct outcome in a secular society.