Catholics, Muslims, Jews should ally to defeat marriage equality, says Vatican |
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Seattle Gay News
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posted Friday, May 4, 2012 - Volume 40 Issue 18 Catholics, Muslims, Jews should ally to defeat marriage equality, says Vaticanby Mike Andrew - SGN Staff Writer The Vatican's ambassador to Great Britain called for an alliance with Muslims and Orthodox Jews to defeat the British government's plans for marriage equality. In a speech to English and Welsh Catholic bishops, Archbishop Antonio Mennini warned them they faced a 'lengthy and probably difficult campaign' against same-sex marriage. 'I wonder if we shouldn't ask for and look for more support among other Christian confessions and indeed, persons of other faiths,' he said. 'It seems to me that, concerning the institution of marriage, and indeed the sanctity of human life, we have much in common with the position of the Jewish community, the Chief Rabbi and many of the more significant representatives of Islam.' Mennini is Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, the equivalent of an ambassador. Mennini's speech followed protests by Muslim and Orthodox Jewish leaders after British Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone launched a national consultation on upcoming marriage equality legislation. On March 9, Pope Benedict XVI denounced marriage equality to a gathering of U.S. bishops, calling it 'gravely sinful' and 'damaging to the stability of society.' Speaking in London on April 26, Catholic Archbishop Peter Smith said there had been no 'formal' contact with Jewish groups to form a united front on the subject of marriage. However, 'We will work with anyone who agrees with us that to redefine marriage is not a good thing for society and will lead to more confusion,' he said. 'It is a very dangerous way to go forward in terms of legislation on such a vital topic,' Smith said of the British government's plans to introduce marriage equality legislation. In March, the Muslim Council of Britain issued a statement opposing government plans to introduce a marriage equality bill, describing it as 'unnecessary and unhelpful.' In Scotland, the Council of Glasgow Imams passed a joint resolution describing same-sex marriage as an 'attack' on their faith and fundamental beliefs. Opinion in the Jewish community has been sharply divided, however. Liberal and Reform synagogues have given their support to same-sex marriage, but rabbis within the main United Synagogues have expressed opposition. Great Britain's Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks, has so far resisted pressure to voice opposition to the government's proposal. The Church of England is also divided over the issue. In an April 21 letter to The Times, a group of prominent Anglicans wrote, 'We believe the Church has nothing to fear from & civil marriage for same-sex couples.' Among the signers were five retired bishops and openly Gay priest Dr. Jeffrey John, the dean of St. Albans Cathedral. On the other hand, the Archbishop of York, African-born John Sentamu, has been a vocal opponent of equal rights for Gay and Lesbian couples. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest-ranking Church of England clergyman, said in February that the British government has no right to impose cultural change on the country. |
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