Donald Duck Blamed For Heresy by Australian Archibishop

Considering how litigious Disney is, how does Australia’s Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Pell get away with ranting about the Donald Duck heresy?

In a compilation of essays due out this week, the Cardinal criticizes Catholics who support contraception, abortion and stem-cell research on the basis of their own moral conscience. We always thought Jiminy Cricket suggested that you “let your conscience be your guide.”

English historian Felipe Fernandez Armesto coined the term Donald Duck heresy, which according to Pell,

rests squarely on the fallacy of overwhelming natural virtue. All you have to do to fulfil yourself is follow your natural impulses. Donald Duck always does this and always gets into trouble. It is a heresy which sanctifies mistakes, provided one is genuine, being oneself.

Pell clearly has no idea who he’s dealing with. Disney usually takes a very dim view of those who would impugn the good name of any of their copyrighted characters.

But, if the MouseHouse didn’t take on Hamas, will they ignore the Catholic Church, too?

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