Marriage equality groups divided over Archbishop’s comments
Image: Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne Philip Freier. Photo: Supplied
MARRIAGE equality groups are divided in their opinion of comments made by the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne made about a plebiscite on marriage equality.
Archbishop Phillip Freier wrote to other Anglican bishops saying the church could accept a ‘yes’ vote if the Australian public voted in favour of marriage equality, but the Anglican Church would not revise its doctrine that marriage is between a man and woman.
The Archbishop also said he supported the upcoming plebiscite but was “very concerned that the discussion does not become harsh or vilifying – on either side, for it is not only Christians who have sometimes failed on this score.”
“Should the vote be in favour of same-sex marriage as suggested by opinion polls, the church must accept that this is now part of the landscape,” he wrote in the letter
“The church also understands the desire of two people to express their commitment of love and self sacrifice and Christians have not always shown the respect or perspective they should.”
The Archbishop has written to other Anglican bishops saying the Government has a mandate for a plebiscite, declaring the Church will abide by the outcome and expressing hope the plebiscite will be conducted respectfully.
However, marriage equality groups are split on their reaction to the Archbishop’s letter, with just.equal spokesperson Ivan Hinton-Teoh saying “just because Archbishop Freier wants a plebiscite to be respectful doesn’t mean it will be”.
“We are already seeing hateful flyers and pamphlets being distributed and this will increase a hundredfold during a plebiscite,” he said.
“The Archbishop is letting down his own congregations because a plebiscite will divide his parishioners, tear families apart and inflame the culture war about homosexuality within the Anglican Church.”
“I would expect the Church to accept a positive plebiscite result but I would also expect it accept a majority vote in Parliament.”
Australian Marriage Equality (AME) welcomed the Archbishop’s statement on marriage equality and said the organisation strongly agrees the introduction of civil marriage equality in Australia will have no negative impact on religious marriage.
“Like the Archbishop we share his belief in the value of life long committed relationships and the simple desire of two people wanting to build a secure future,” Francis Voon, Faith Outreach Coordinator for Australian Marriage Equality said.
“Marriage equality will ensure in Australia all couples will be entitled to the same dignity and status for their committed relationships. We would ask everyone to remember that words can do damage and this debate is about the lives of LGBT people, their aspirations and future happiness.
“Regardless of the pathway to achieving marriage equality, we join with the Archbishop and call for a positive and respectful national discussion on the issue.
“Extending civil marriage to all Australians is good for everyone. It takes from no one and makes our society a better, fairer and more inclusive place.”
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Its good that some christians can see the error in some of their ways when we all need to get along and have peace on planet earth…
Let’s face it neither the Anglican, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish or Hindu religions would have any say as the Australian Marriage Act is a Secular Act. These religions have, under the agreement of the Division of State and Religion, their own rules which for them take precedence over Secular Laws. When we get the right to marry, with the exception of a tiny, tiny number of, mostly Christian (REAL Christians) sects, the larger religious businesses will simply refuse to conduct Same Gender Marriages. That is their right. In time, when they realise they are losing a truck-load of Money (their principle god today), they will start performing Same Gender Marriages for the lure of all those billions of Dollars will become too strong for all of them.