Marriage equality advocates say the Catholic Church is out of touch with ordinary Catholics after the Catholic Archdiocese of Hobart today announced it will distribute a pastoral letter to church-goers that opposes allowing same-sex couples to marry.

Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,

“The Catholic Church has every right to hold its own, religious definition of marriage, but the Marriage Act is a civil law which does not and should not enshrine the values of any particular religion.”

“The Catholic Church will not be forced to marry same-sex couples and in return I ask it not to force its views on the rest of the community through the Marriage Act.”

“Polling by national research company Crosby/Textor in August 2014 found that 67% of Australian Catholics support same-sex marriage.”

“By authorising this letter, the Catholic hierarchy in Tasmania is showing it is out of touch with its flock.”

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media release
Date: 17 June 2015