Marriage equality advocates have called on Sydney Archbishop, Peter Jensen, to apologise for comments on homosexuality they label “cruel”.
Last night on the ABC’s Q&A program Archbishop Jensen endorsed recent comments by the Australian Christian Lobby about the supposed health risks of homosexuality. (Report here)
He re-iterated that gay men have shorter life spans than heterosexual men, and appeared to say the need to “talk about it” and “get the facts” is more important than the gay suicides his anti-gay statements will cause.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said he will write to Archbishop Jensen highlighting the damage his comments will cause and seeking an apology.
“Although we have come to expect extreme anti-gay statement from the Australian Christian Lobby, for a religious leader like Archbishop Jensen to made such cruel claims is a betrayal of his duty of care to his parishoners, especially those who are gay or have gay friends and family members.”
“Peter Jensen must apologise to gay and lesbian Australians, and their families, for using his platform to promote factually wrong, immoral and cruel anti-gay propaganda.”
“The majority of Australians will be particularly concerned that Archbishop Jensen appears to accept that gay suicides are ‘collateral damage’ in the pursuit of his anti-gay agenda.”
“By accepting that suicides will result from his actions, the Archbishop has lost his moral bearings and authority.”
With a marriage equality vote in Parliament expected in the coming weeks, Mr Greenwich said federal politicians face a stark choice.
“Our politicians must now decide what side of the debate they want to be on – the small minority promoting a damaging anti-gay agenda, or the majority of Australians who value love, fairness, and equality”.
For a report on Archbishop Jensen’s comments go to:
http://www.smh.com.au/national/archbishop-backs-acl-stance-on-gay-lifestyle-20120910-25orl.html
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335