The position of the Catholic Church in Australia has been seriously weakened by the extraordinary remarks and interventions of the vice-chancellor of the Australian Catholic University, Professor Zlatko Skrbis, says Australian columnist Greg Sheridan. Sheridan was referring to a speech by Joe de Bruyn, who used three examples to reflect on how to live a Read more
The Anglican church in Wales will offer special blessings to same-sex married couples after a historic vote welcomed by campaigners for equality. The move puts the Welsh church at odds with the Church of England, which forbids clergy to bless same-sex marriages. It falls short of allowing same-sex marriages in church, and includes a “conscience Read more
Being prepared to consider ordaining women – and saying so – has seen a priest continue to be suspended from ministry while more senior clergy are not even smacked on the wrist. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, recently admitted that he is “open” to the idea of ordaining women to the Catholic priesthood. “I am not Read more
The Tikanga Pasifika, the Pacific arm of the Anglican Church, has opted not to support a resolution passed at the recent general synod of the Anglican communion allowing for the blessing of same-sex couples. The resolution affirms that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, but it allows for individual bishops to offer Read more
Christchurch city’s Diocesan Synod, Saturday, voted to support a proposal yesterday to bless same-sex marriages, following submissions both for and against the blessings. Bishop Victoria Matthews wished to assured gay people their voices had been heard. However, Auckland’s Rainbow Church is calling a move to bless same-sex marriage by Christchurch’s Anglican church a “pathetic, half-step Read more
Australians’ “yes” vote supporting legalising same-sex marriage may pose more questions than answers. The non-binding referendum drew 7.8 million for same-sex marriage and 4.9 million against. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Denis Hart says parliament must work to unify Australians by respecting different views on marriage. “The Catholic Church, and many others who sought Read more
A variety of opinions on the topic of same gender marriage were expressed at a meeting of InterFaith Search Fiji in Suva on Saturday. Speakers talked about ways of accepting members of the LGBITQ community. Reverend Anil Reuben of the Methodist Church said many people in same gender marriage had slowly dropped out of the Read more
Melbourne’s archbishop has stopped a speech by an Australian MP at a Catholic conference because the speaker supports same-sex marriage. Archbishop Denis Hart intervened to cancel a planned keynote speech by MP Cathy McGowan at a Catholic Social Services Victoria conference this month. The reason given was that her views are contrary to Church teachings. Read more
Homosexual activist and attorney Aman Ravindra-Singh has accused Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama of breaking the law by the manner in which he responded to a suggestion the same sex marriage be legalised. Singh claims that the prime minister has violated section 26 of the Fiji constitution, and he should be charged under the criminal Read more
The Archbishop of Suva Peter Loy Chong says it will be a long time before Pacific societies are ready to embrace the concept of same sex marriage. “With regards to same sex marriage over it is still, culturally not yet even accepting that.” “The culture and religion is strong here. It is going to, it Read more