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Churches Attack Sydney's
Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Compiled by GayToday

Cardinal Edward "Fancy" Clancy doesn't want to see the decedance of Gay Mardi Gras in Sydney

Sydney, Australia—In an unprecedented show of bigotry, leaders of Australia's two largest Christian churches, Anglican and Roman Catholic, have united to attack the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

For 22 years, during which time the popular celebration has garnered world-wide fame, the clergy have remained silent. Now, in an attempt to stop the forthcoming March 4 Mardi Gras from taking place they have condemned it as "little more than a highly erotic and gross way of promoting a homosexual lifestyle."

Cardinal Edward Clancy, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, expressed his anti-Mardi Gras opinions in a tirade published by the Catholic Weekly and circulated at masses in Roman Catholic churches. He endorsed Papal rhetoric which insists that homosexuality is contrary to Roman Catholic "moral" law.

Cardinal Clancy, known in some quarters as Fancy Clancy, writes:

"Homosexual people are required to exercise self-discipline and to avoid such conduct. The annual Gay Mardi Gras is an exercise in gross exhibitionism that promotes a homosexual lifestyle, and does not merit our presence or our support."

Most Rev Harry Goodhew, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, issued a statement concurring with the Cardinal's article. His statement, he told reporters, will be published prior to the Mardi Gras in his church newspaper, the Southern Cross.

Archbishop Goodhew said:

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"I call on the State Government, politicians and community leaders generally, and other community organizations, including any Christian groups who might show support to the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, to reflect again on the values and lifestyle they are endorsing… Above all I entreat them to consider the model for life and relationships that they offer to the children and youth of this community by showing their support to the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras."

David McLachlan, president of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, issued a statement of his own:

"I was raised as a Catholic," he said, "and it's sad to see how out of touch these church leaders are in helping people deal with the development of one's sexuality."