67% of Australian Catholics support marriage equality.
Advocates say a Catholic Church letter issuing “veiled threats” to businesses that support marriage equality shows the Church is out of touch with public opinion and its own members.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney has sent a letter targeting a number of corporations that have publicly supported marriage equality. The Archdiocese suggested Australian corporations are “overstepping their purpose” in advocating reform to the Marriage Act.
Deputy Director of Australian Marriage Equality, Ivan Hinton-Teoh, said,
“Given research indicating 67% of Australian Catholics now support marriage equality, the letter illustrates how out of touch the Church has become.”
“In recent weeks we’ve heard of the possibility of Christians divorcing en masse, pamphlets have been distributed to children denigrating same-sex relationships and now veiled threats have been made to corporations for expressing their support for marriage equality.”
“This all shows growing desperation among opponents of marriage equality as the reform grows ever closer.”
The letter, reported by The Australian today, pointedly asserts that “the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney is a significant user of goods and services” and was represented by “parishes, schools, welfare agencies and aged care services” in what was described in The Australian as a “veiled threat”.
The letter went on to suggest corporations have no place in “such an important matter that impacts all of Australian society now and into the future”.
Mr Hinton-Teoh said,
“These large corporations are invested in the Australian community and well placed to reflect the shift to equality that has occurred nationally and globally.”
“Many of these businesses are operating in countries that achieved equality many years ago and can speak from experience that there is nothing to fear.”
“Our corporate partners recognise that the continuing discrimination within the Marriage Act negatively impacts their workforce, their customers and Australia’s competitiveness.”
For more information contact Ivan Hinton-Teoh on 0419 124 826.
Author:Ivan Hinton-Teoh
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 24 June 2015