The Roman Catholic Church has lashed out at gays after the Argentine teachers union granted health-care benefits to the lover of Argentina's only openly gay teacher.

In a press release authored by National Bishops Conference Family Secretary Rafael Nolasco, the church said gays are sick and perverted and recruit young men.

It said teachers known to be homosexual should be fired and claimed there is "scientific proof" gays can turn straight through psychology and spiritual guidance.

"If thieves are not accepted as bank clerks, or blind people as bus drivers, homosexuals are not to be accepted as teachers," the document continued. "Gays and lesbians can make as much effort as they want to achieve social or legal recognition, but they can not impede democratic society from defending itself from their absurd claim of having the right to be abnormal or sick."

Meanwhile, a new poll by the TN television channel found that 52 percent of Argentineans accept gay teachers, 27 percent are indifferent on the issue, and only 21 percent reject the notion.

Gay teacher Rafael Freda and his lover, Eduardo Vazquez, were recognized as spouses by the teachers union's social-security system two months ago. Shortly thereafter, the government extended pension rights to the lovers of deceased gays and lesbians and the flight-attendants union began offering benefits to gay/lesbian employees' domestic partners.

AUSTRALIAN CHURCH LEADER COMES OUT

The second-highest-ranking officer of Australia's third-largest church came out of the closet at the church's annual assembly last week.

Uniting Church Commission on Mission National Director Rev. Dorothy McRae-McMahon, 63, outed herself as the assembly wrestled with the question of ordaining openly gay clergy -- a decision it eventually opted not to decide on.

McRae-McMahon will remain in her position for the time being despite loud opposition from some Aboriginal and Pacific Islander groups within the church.

KAZAKHSTAN GROUP SEEKS SUPPORT

The Kazakhstan gay and AIDS group Kontrast is seeking help from abroad in the form of newspapers, magazines, books, videos, money, medicine, vitamins, disposable syringes and condoms.

In addition to anti-AIDS work, the group is fighting to overturn Penal Code article 104.1 which bans gay sex. It also operates Kazakhstan's only gay library.

"[Because] we also work with gays and help them, [the] militia and Security Service threaten us and [try to] prevent our activity," said President Ivan Shibitov.

Write Kontrast, P.O. Box 108, Almaty 480096, Kazakhstan.

Another gay group seeking foreign contact is Different from Others, headed by Nick Zapopadko. Its address is P.O. Box 48, Almaty 480070, Kazakhstan.

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Rex Wockner's weekly International News dating back to mid-1994 is fully searchable at http://www.wockner.com