‘Protect marriage’. Jensen ‘must apologise’. HCC backs marriage equality

Christian leaders urge Parliament to protect the definition of marriage
For release: Sunday 09/09/12

With Parliamentary debate on marriage beginning again tomorrow in Canberra, 19 of Australia’s denominational leaders and 267 other church leaders have urged the Parliament to protect the Marriage Act.

The leaders have signed a joint statement calling for the Act to remain unchanged.

There are four bills to change the definition of marriage before the Parliament, two of which are expected to be voted on in coming weeks.

“Marriage is the lifelong commitment and faithful union of one man and one woman. As such, marriage is the natural basis of the family because it secures the relationship between biological parents and their children,” The statement says.

Joint Statement on the Significance of Marriage

Marriage is the lifelong commitment and faithful union of one man and one woman. As such, marriage is the natural basis of the family because it secures the relationship between biological parents and their children.

As Christian leaders representing different denominations or churches, we join together and affirm our shared commitment to promote and protect marriage. We honour the unique love between husbands and wives; the vital place of fathers and mothers in the life of children; and the corresponding ideal for all children to know the love and role modelling of a father and mother.

Marriage thus defined is a great good in itself, and it also serves the good of others and society, as it has done for thousands of years. The preservation of the unique meaning of marriage is therefore not a special or limited interest, but serves the common good, particularly the good of children.

We call on Parliament to:

• protect this definition of marriage in Australian law, and
• not change the meaning of marriage by adding to it different kinds of relationships.

Denominational Leaders

Pastor Wayne Alcorn
National President
AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
The Most Reverend Peter Jensen
Archbishop of the Diocese of Sydney
ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA

Pastor Tim Jack
National Leader
APOSTOLIC CHURCH AUSTRALIA
Pastor David McDonald
National Chairman
CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTRE AUSTRALIA

His Eminence Cardinal George Pell AC
Archbishop of Sydney
CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
Pastor Mark Conner
Senior Minister
CITYLIFE CHURCH

Rev Dr Margaret Court
Senior Pastor
VICTORY LIFE CENTRE INCORPORATED
Very Rev Dr Michael Protopopov OAM
Australian & New Zealand Diocese
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OUTSIDE RUSSIA

Pastor Bill Vasilakis
National Chairman
CRC CHURCHES INTERNATIONAL

The Right Reverend David Jones
Moderator General
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA

His Grace Bishop Suriel
Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH

Very Reverend Father Tadros El-Bakhoumi
Diocese Of Sydney And Affiliation Regions
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH

Commissioner James Condon
Territorial Commander
THE SALVATION ARMY EASTERN TERRITORY

Commissioner Raymond Finger
Territorial Commander
THE SALVATION ARMY SOUTHERN TERRITORY

Pastor Ken Vogel
General Secretary, Australian Union Conference
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

Pastor Graham Nelson
Senior Minister
LIFE MINISTRY CENTRE

The Most Reverend Denis Hart
President
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE

Reverend Keith Jobberns
National Ministries Director
AUSTRALIAN BAPTIST MINISTRIES
BAPTIST UNION OF AUSTRALIA

And 267 church leaders…

• AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Media Release
Sunday September 9th

MPS URGED TO HEAR CHRISTIAN CASE FOR GAY MARRIAGE

Australian Marriage Equality (AME) has called on all federal parliamentarians to hear the Christian case for marriage equality ahead of a vote in federal parliament, expected in the coming weeks.

The call comes as the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has continued to use alarmist language about the reform and plans a petition from some church leaders.

AME national convener, Alex Greenwich, said,

“The ACL only represents one Christian view on this reform, and it’s the minority view. A majority of Australian Christians support marriage equality because the reform strengthens relationships and families, and fosters values like commitment.”

Mr Greenwich said recent polling showed 53% of Christians support the reform (details here) including over 70 church leaders across various denominations. (A full list of supportive clergy and a copy of their letter sent to federal MPs can be found here)

“As the majority Christian voice in support of reform continues to grow, the ACL is turning to alarmism, fear, and misinformation to promote what many see is simply an anti-gay agenda”

Mr Greenwich said religious leaders have nothing to fear from marriage equality, as parliament has made it clear they will be protected from marrying same-sex couples.

“Through draft legislation, eminent legal opinions, and resolutions of parliament it has been made 100% clear that churches will not have to marry same-sex couples if they don’t wish to”.

• Lance Tapsell JP CMC, Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants, National President

CIVIL CELEBRANTS BACK MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Australia’s largest civil celebrants’ association, the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants (AFCC) has called for reform to the Marriage Act to provide all couples access to marriage.

At its Committee meeting in Hobart this week, the AFCC National Committee ratified a new policy in support of Marriage Equality.

In a statement issued today in Hobart, the President of the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants, Mr Lance Tapsell said,

“AFCC member celebrants have for many years been conducting commitment ceremonies for couples unable to legally wed and are aware of their desire to be accorded equal rights under the law.”

“As the leading professional association for celebrants in Australia, the AFCC, therefore, is committed to Marriage Equality and keenly awaits changes in legislation which will see the end of discrimination for couples not currently legally afforded the right to be married.”

“Our preference is for reform at a national level, but if this doesn’t happen we support States like Tasmania taking the lead.”

According to the AFCC, Marriage Equality will

• Remove legally-entrenched discrimination against couples currently unable to marry;

• Allow all couples in a committed, loving relationship to be afforded the same opportunity to legally and formally declare their love and commitment to each other;

• Strengthen the institution of marriage by re-affirming its core values of love and commitment, rather than defining marriage by whom it excludes.

• TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP

Media Release
Monday September 10th 2012

CELEBRANTS’ SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY WELCOMED CELEBRANTS UNDERSTAND “TRUE MEANING OF MARRIAGE”

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, has welcomed support for marriage equality from Australia’s largest association of civil celebrants.

At its annual meeting in Hobart the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants has resolved to support reform at both a federal and state level.

Mr Croome said civil celebrants are confronted with the reality of discrimination on a daily basis.

“Civil celebrants see the pain that is caused by discriminatory marriage laws, both to same-sex couples whose solemn vows have no legal standing and to heterosexual couples who are ambivalent about marrying while their gay friends and relatives can’t.”

“Celebrants have a deep appreciation of the true value and meaning of marriage as a vow of lifelong commitment between two loving partners, so naturally they will be concerned when the law does not reflect this true meaning and but entrenches discrimination and exclusion instead.”

According to the AFCC resolution, marriage equality will,

• remove legally-entrenched discrimination against couples currently unable to marry; • normalise LGBTI relationships; • allow for all couples in a committed, loving relationship to officially declare their love and commitment before family and friends; • strengthen the institution of marriage by re-affirming its core values of love and commitment, rather than defining marriage by who it excludes.

President of the AFCC, Lance Tapsell said,

“As the leading professional association for celebrants in Australia, the AFCC is committed to Marriage Equality, and keenly awaits changes in legislation which will see the end of discrimination for couples in same sex loving relationships.”

“AFCC member celebrants have for many years been conducting commitment ceremonies for couples unable to legally wed, and are aware of their desire to be accorded equal rights under the law.”

“Our preference is for reform at a national level, but if this doesn’t happen we support states like Tasmania taking the lead.”

• AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Media Release
Monday September 10th 2012

COALITION “HYPOCRITICAL” ON GAY MARRIAGE VOTE

Marriage equality advocates believe the reform would pass if the Coalition had a conscience vote.

The claim comes as Liberal front-bencher, Malcolm Turnbull, re-iterated his in-principle support for equality but declared it would not pass even if he and other Coalition members were allowed a conscience vote.

Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich said,

“If there was a Coalition conscience vote, more Coalition MPs would be seeking out the views of their constituents, seriously considering the case for reform, and generally opening their hearts and minds to the need for change”,

“We implore Mr Abbott to abide by Coalition tradition and allow a conscience vote on a reform that has majority support across the Australian community.”

“Rather than breaking a Coalition tradition and forcing his members to vote as a collective, Mr Abbott should allow Liberals to vote according to their own conscience and the views of their electorate” Mr Greenwich said.

Today in parliament Mr. Turnbull said:

“Were a free vote to be permitted, I could support legislation that would recognise same-sex couples as married,”

Mr Turnbull went on to say he would support civil unions, despite his own polling showing most people in his electorate oppose them, and despite Tony Abbott ruling them out as an option both at the last election and more recently.

Mr Greenwich said it will be hypocritical of Coalition MPs like Mr Turnbull to be allowed to vote for civil unions and not for marriage equality.

“Either MPs like Malcolm Turnbull are allowed a conscience vote on both marriage equality and civil unions or neither.”

“For Mr Turnbull to be allowed to vote to entrench discrimination through a civil union scheme but prohibited from voting for full equality through an amendment to the Marriage Act is an insult to the majority of Australians who support marriage equality.”

Mr Greenwich said civil unions are a second-class form of recognition which have proven to be ‘a failed experiment’ in countries like New Zealand and the UK which are now moving towards marriage equality instead.

• AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Media Release
Tuesday September 11th 2012

JENSEN SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR “CRUEL” ANTI-GAY COMMENTS
MPS FACE STARK CHOICE BETWEEN HATE AND LOVE

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.

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

• TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP

Media Release
Tuesday September 11th 2012

HOBART CITY COUNCIL ENDORSES MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Tasmanian marriage equality advocates have welcomed a Hobart City Council decision to lobby all Upper House members in support of marriage equality.

At last night’s meeting the Council voted to endorse marriage equality and to write to all Upper House in support of the same-sex marriage bill that recently passed the Lower House.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“The Council’s decision reflects strong support for this reform among the citizens of Hobart and across the state.”

“The message to the Upper House is that Tasmanians want our state to take the lead on a reform whose time has come.”

The Hobart City Council joins the Glenorchy City Council which endorsed marriage equality last month.

Two weeks ago the Hobart City Council debated same-sex marriage but deferred a final decision until last night’s meeting.

Other organisations which support the state same-sex marriage bill include the Tasmanian Council of Social Services, the Mental Health Council of Tasmania, the Small Business Council of Tasmania and the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants.

All Hobart City Councillors, with the exception of Alderman John Freeman, supported the motion

• AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Media Release
Tuesday September 11 2012

ADVOCATES CALL ON GILLARD GOVT TO RULE OUT TAS GAY MARRIAGE CHALLENGE

Marriage equality advocates have called on Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, to rule out a High Court challenge to a Tasmanian law allowing same-sex marriages.

The call comes in the wake of a question to Acting Prime Minister, Wayne Swan, from Tasmanian independent, Andrew Wilkie, who sought an assurance the Tasmanian law will not be challenged.

Mr Swan, rather than answering the question, said he will not provide a running commentary on a law currently before the Tasmanian Parliament.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“Tasmanian MPs and the Tasmanian people deserve an assurance that the Commonwealth will not seek to overturn our same-sex marriage bill should it become law.”

“The core of a healthy federal system is that states are allowed to make laws for their good of their citizens and marriage equality will do nothing but good for Tasmania.”

Australian Marriage Equality national convened, Alex Greenwich, said,

“A challenge to the Tasmanian law would run counter to Labor policy in support of marriage equality and to the spirit of federalism.”

“We urge the Federal Government to make it crystal clear they will not challenge the Tasmanian law.”

A Bill allowing for same-sex marriage has passed the Tasmanian Lower House but it’s passage through the Upper House is uncertain.