Church backs marriage equality
The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Australia has come out strongly in support of both civil and religious same-sex marriage.
In a statement provided to the Star Observer, Archbishop Ronald Langham wrote that following the 鈥渉istoric and courageous鈥� vote on same-sex marriage in New York, 鈥渢he New York State Catholic Conference stated that the granting of marriage rights to same-sex persons will 鈥榓lter radically and forever humanity鈥檚 historic understanding of marriage鈥�.
鈥淭hey are of course right. Where they err is in the premise that this is a bad thing.
鈥淚t is not the position of all Christian churches that same-sex activity or marriage cannot be a life-giving and Holy experience 鈥� Science and medicine have long ago settled the question of the 鈥榥ormalcy鈥� of homosexuality.
鈥淭he Ecumenical Catholic Church of Australia is one church that does not share the fear of sexuality, intimacy, love and commitment that same-sex couples are able to experience.
鈥淭he time for argument on matters such as homosexuality or same-sex marriage is past.
Langham said now was a time for both 鈥渁ction and rejoicing鈥�.
鈥淎ction that impels politicians in Australia to join the real world and find some political guts, and rejoicing that celebrates the beauty of same-gender commitment and the desire to express that commitment in the same way as any other couple.
鈥淸S]ame-sex marriage will reinforce the concept of marriage that calls for a lifelong commitment between two people who love and care for each other. If the breakdown of the institution of marriage is to be blamed on anything, it cannot be blamed on the desire of a portion of the community that wishes to share in the ideals of marriage鈥�
The Ecumenical Catholic Church joins other Australian religious denominations including the Metropolitan Community Church, the Unitarians, the Quakers, and Progressive Judaism in going public with their support of same-sex marriage while a number of United Church ministers have also spoken out on the issue.
The Ecumenical Catholic Church is a breakaway church from mainstream Catholicism which does not answer to the Pope, allows female ordination and allows priests to marry.
It took brave Christian leaders to end the White Australia policy, and it will take such leaders to bring equality before the law for all Australians. As poll after poll shows millions of Christians around Australia support Same-Sex Marriage.