Progressive religious voices pledge support for Queensland HIV campaigns
ONE聽of Queensland鈥檚 major Anglican congregations is donating contributions to their monthly charitable outreach program to the Queensland AIDS Council in continuing efforts to support marginalised communities.
St John鈥檚 Cathedral in Brisbane city has been one of Queensland鈥檚 most progressive congregations and a long time supporter of the LGBTI community, led by its Dean, Dr Peter Catt.
Highlighting a need to support programs in marginalised communities, Dr Catt hoped that their monthly program addresses issues of HIV education advocacy and isolation.
鈥淪t John鈥檚 uses its monthly outreach program to support programs that receive little or no government support and as a way of educating its community,鈥� Dr Catt told the Star Observer.
鈥淲e often try to address situations where people are experiencing marginalisation. Those who live with HIV are often subject to marginalisation. We are hopeful that our involvement will signal that we wish to be an agent in overcoming that marginalisation.鈥�
Dr Catt believes that position to be able聽engage with the LGBTI community is one of great value.
Speaking to the general issue of religious inclusion of the LGBTI community and addressing HIV and AIDS, he聽said there was a role for all churches, even less progressive ones, to play.
鈥淚 think this already occurring in many places. Most religious communities would hold to the idea of at least 鈥榣oving the sinner鈥�,” Dr Catt said.
“And while this can lead a form of qualified acceptance, that can be difficult, there is scope in that system to be of support to people and to overcome the sense of isolation that many experience.鈥�
The Dean said that it was the responsibility of both LGBTI and religious institutions聽to work together in an effort to address their historically splintered relationship.
鈥淓ach person/group needs to do what they can, and can only do what they can.鈥� Dr Catt said.
鈥淚 am constantly impressed by the number of LGBTI Christians who persist with membership of the church and the generosity of spirit they manifest. It is powerful witness.鈥�
, and said that the body has been making advances in community and political circles.
鈥淲e are steadily building a presence and I am finding that the work of the group is getting to be known in the wider community,” he said.
“Members of the LGBTI community seem to be particularly aware. I have the sense that it is providing many people with sense of hope.鈥�
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Start paying taxes you churches – if you want an opinion about LGBTI rights in Australia!
Vote 1 Australian Sex Party (ASP)!
Churches should never ever have a voice or an opinion about LGBTI people and/or organisations in Australia!
Church views are just plain poison!
鈥淚 think this already occurring in many places. Most religious communities would hold to the idea of at least 鈥榣oving the sinner鈥�,鈥� Dr Catt said.
鈥淢embers of the LGBTI community seem to be particularly aware. I have the sense that it is providing many people with sense of hope.鈥�
OMG
I pinch myself
Is it the 21st century or what
What a patronizing humiliating pathological view of gay ppl.
And this guy is “progressive”
the part I love most of all is
“the responsibility of both LGBTI and religious institutions to work together in an effort to address their historically splintered relationship.”
XCUSE ME…was this the same church Anglicare..his church that successfully lobbied and banned gay adoptions in NSW…that also had a problem with the new Federal anti discrimination laws that tried to ban discrimination for Gay ppl in old folks homes
Also his church under former Archbishop Jensen of Sydney that created a split in the Anglican church worldwide over the ordination of women and Gay Bishop Gene Roberstson in USA.This split group calling itself GAFCON is made up of all the african anglican bishops calling for capitol punishment and “kill the gays bill” in Uganda Kenya and mostly everywhere else in Africa….