Gay marriage lobbyists have welcomed Father Bob McGuire’s public pledge to conduct gay union ceremonies, but claim he’s not the first priest to speak out in favour of the cause.
Australia Marriage Equality national secretary Peter Furness said this morning it was encouraging to see a Catholic priest speak publicly about the issue.
“There are many priests who support and want the right to marry same sex couples,” Mr Furness said.
“(But) people are scared of their bosses to do it publicly.”
Mr Furness said a number of religious leaders had made submissions to a 2009 senate inquiry in favour of gay marriage, but some were not willing to go public with their views.
“The Australian Christian Lobby would have us think that there is one viewpoint from the church, but there’s not,” he said.
“There are lots of different viewpoints. We have been contacted by many religious leaders who have said they want to do gay ceremonies.”
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For a report on former US evangelical leader, Ted Haggard’s, support for marriage equality, click here
For AME’s recent correspondence with Cardinal George Pell, click here