A group of Christian leaders and academics today welcomed the much-anticipated Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, opposing any form of plebiscite and instead urging the Parliament to make it law through a free vote in the Australian Parliament. Anglican Dean of Brisbane, Rev Dr Peter Catt said, “As Australians of faith we celebrate that we live in a democratic, multicultural and secular nation.
“We believe that the law should reflect the widely held conviction that LGBTI Australians should be treated equally and be able to marry the person they love.”
Rev Dr Margaret Mayman of Pitt Street Uniting Church, Sydney, said, “I fully support civil
marriage equality because of my faith, not in spite of it. As an ordained minister, I believe in a
God who welcomes every person. I am passionate about this because this is about my LGBTI
friends and their families who are a beloved part of our church community. I call on Australian
politicians to listen to the voices of people of faith, a majority of whom support marriage
equality. We call for a free vote. We remind politicians that this is a civil issue that does not
affect religious beliefs and practices.”
Read full statement with signatures here.
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