MCC reaffirms marriage stance
The Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Sydney reaffirmed its support for marriage equality and called for churches that support same-sex marriage to be allowed to marry couples in line with their faiths.
MCC Sydney is part of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), which has more than 43,000 members in more than 250 churches in 22 countries. The denomination has a long history of supporting the rights of all couples to marry.
“In its 40-year history, the UFMCC has taken a strong and uncompromising stand in favour of equality and social justice for all people,” the statement read.
“MCC Sydney stands with MCC Churches everywhere in its commitment to marriage equality and justice for all people everywhere.
“MCC Sydney is committed to supporting and working for marriage equality for all people around the world and especially here in Australia whether they are in opposite or same-sex relationships.”
The church wrote that it supports the freedom of religion for all faiths concerning marriage.
“Freedom of religion is a vital concern when it comes to marriage equality as not all Christians hold the same view regarding who they will marry.
“Some Christian churches only marry those who are members of their church. Some Christian churches will marry people who have been divorced while others will not. If legal, some Christian churches will marry same-sex couples while others will choose not to. MCC Sydney supports the rights of all churches to practise their faith according to their own conscience.
“Not all churches are currently allowed to practise their faith freely according to their conscience. We at MCC Sydney strongly believe in the holy rite of marriage for all couples yet we are forbidden by Australian law to practise this aspect of our faith for our members and friends who are in same-sex relationships.”
MCC Sydney said marriage equality was more than just a secular social justice issue.
“It is also a religious freedom issue. Practising the rite of holy matrimony for same-sex couples is as much a part of our faith as is practising the rite of holy matrimony for opposite-sex couples.
“As long as Australia does not allow civil marriage equality, we do not have the freedom of religion to practise our faith fully.”
The church pledged to use its resources to work in partnership with both secular and religious community organisations, to support the campaign for equal rights for same-sex couples and full marriage equality.
The statement was given to MCC congregants.
The power of people like Jim Wallace, comes from denying any Church leader supports our community, and he is representative of all Church Leaders. On Sunrise recently he tried desperately to talk down claims to the contrary. Evidence to the contrary is political poison to Jim, as it diminishes him to someone off the street, representing only his views as a street corner preacher. So I am heartened more and more Church leaders are stepping into the media glare, taking a stand for social justice and equality for Australians, just as they did to end the White Australia Policy.
http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/-/watch/26457680/church-vs-gay-marriage/
At times in the debate about equality you can stir, but within living memory, jobs advertised “No Catholic Need Apply”, and the fights some Christian denominations had tore at the fabric of society. Australia did overcome much of this, and we will overcome our differences and deliver equality to all people together. It just takes all of us to keep the warmth of the flame of hope alive, and be ever vigilant.