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By Michael Kelly Rainbow Sash Movement, Australia
Many of them, glad to see a Catholic bishop making an impact in the public arena, have applauded his forthright stance on issues as diverse as the republic, the GST, Serrano's 'Piss Christ', IVF for single women, and drug-injecting rooms. It is odd, then, that Paul Gray in the Herald-Sun (18th April) objects to public demonstrations critiquing Pell's policies and the social impact of Catholic teaching. The Catholic Church is not a private spiritual club. It is a powerful well-funded institution that seeks to be a major player in shaping the social, political and educational fabric of our society. As such, it must expect to attract scrutiny, criticism and, yes, protest from concerned citizens. Bishops and their supporters cannot claim religious immunity when discussions heat up. Education is a case in point. Society has a duty to oversee the education of the next generation. The Catholic Church, using public funds, educates a quarter of Australia's youth. Officially, it teaches them that homosexuality:
IS objectively disordered and an orientation to intrinsic evil.
THAT gay relationships undermine the family, damage the fabric of society and are essentially depraved. THAT homosexuals should not be employed as teachers, coaches or in the military. THAT life-long celibacy is the only valid lifestyle for homosexuals and that governments must resist moves to give gay people full civil rights. It is not surprising that such education attracts civil protest, particularly when one considers the high rate of suicide among gay youth and the widespread violence and harassment gay people face. Indeed, society has a duty to study the negative social impact of such teaching. When members of QUEER demonstrated on public property outside St Patrick's Cathedral on Easter Sunday, many people were understandably upset. However, these students were exercising their democratic rights, and their concerns for gay youth in Catholic schools deserve serious consideration. As a gay man and a committed Catholic, I take a somewhat different approach. While taking part in the public debate, I also publicly claim my place within the Catholic community. I refuse to be silent and invisible, which is the standard demand made of gay Catholics. We serve as bishops, teachers, nurses, nuns, cleaners, academics, labourers, cardinals, carers, mums and dads, musicians and priests.
Like the present teaching on homosexuality, that traditional teaching contradicted the Gospel and caused immense suffering. It took people of courage and vision to change it. When Catholics wearing the Rainbow Sash come to Holy Communion, we pray for similar courage and vision. We come to make the Mass the meal of justice and liberation Christ intended. We call on George Pell, and all Catholics, to share it with us. Michael B. Kelly is the spokesperson for the Rainbow Sash Movement. E-mail: mbkell@ozemail.com.au The Rainbow Sash: A call for justice, dialogue and understanding. PO Box 178, Elwood VIC 3184, Australia http://users.bigpond.net.au/gbaird-SONGRISE/rsm/ |
Members of the Rainbow Sash Movement protest against Catholic homophobia in Australia 
© 1997-2002 BEI