Brisbane Reverend backs gay marriage
THE dean of St John's Anglican Cathedral in Brisbane has broken ranks with traditionalists and thrown his support behind allowing same-sex marriage.
In his submission to a federal parliamentary inquiry, the Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt argues a proposed marriage equality bill will remove discrimination, afford equal marriage rights to same-sex and heterosexual couples, and recognise society's pluralistic nature.
Dr Catt's contribution appears under a St John's Cathedral letterhead but he makes clear it is a personal submission and is not endorsed by the Anglican Church of Australia's Brisbane Diocese.
In December, the Anglican Primate of Australia and Archbishop of Brisbane, The Most Reverend Dr Phillip Aspinall, said changing the definition of marriage was not consistent with the church's current view.
"Discussion about changing same-sex marriage laws has been a topic of discussion across the world-wide Anglican communion, and resolutions at the Australian General Synod consistently support marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union, based on Scripture," Dr Aspinall said in a statement.
>> Read more at brisbanetimes.com.au
