Over 100 Christian ministers will be showing their support for Australia’s gay and lesbian community by marching in this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras parade. The multi-denominational group, which calls itself 100 Revs, has issued a formal apology for the Church’s mistreatment of gays, confessing that Christians have been “profoundly unloving” towards homosexuals:
As ministers of various churches and denominations we recognise that the churches we belong to, and the church in general, have not been places of welcome for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people, For these things we apologise. We are deeply sorry and ask the forgiveness of the GBLT community.
Author and former Assemblies of God evangelist Anthony Venn-Brown applauded the move towards reconciliation:
This wonderful act reminds me of the time the NSW Police marched in the parade for the first time. It was a sign of progress when the very organisation that had imprisoned the first marchers in 1978, joined the parade as participants, 20 or so years later.
He added that it was “a way forward of healing for us all.” Venn-Brown believes that those who sign the 100 Revs statement may become the targets of anger and hostility, even ostracized for their willingness to admit the wrongs. “Thank you for standing with us and welcome to our world,” he concluded.
At long last those who identify within the LGBTI Community have support and leadership from faith communities to which many of us belong.
Let’s hope this action is followed up with support for the Iternational Day Against Homophobia on May 17 and our Grieving of the Violence on Oct 12th, the tenth anniversary of Matt Shepard’s death.
May what they are doing “Down Under” be imported to the United States and the rest of the world.
let’s hope that the apology is picked-up in all States… and that they can get signatures from clergy in all mainline denominations (including the Catholics) in all Australian States and that their full name and parish is published
Can’t say I’d be holding my breathe though, most clergy I know are gutless… so don’t expect too many signatories to the document – given the poofter witch-hunts that are goin on in most churches at the moment – I doubt too many clergy are goin to sign… you know, guilt-by-association syndrome.
It’s funny to see you guys quote anthony because to me he’s just a man from my church, albiet with a slightly colourful past.
As an interesting side note about two or three years ago a good friend of mine who happends to be a gay priest (informally) opened the mardi gras parade by blessing the”dykes on bikes” (a motorcyle enthusiast group) who traditionally lead the parade because of their speed and a notorious ability to rev up the crowd.
Now I’ll have to ask my pastor if she will be going to march. I’m sure this will give that rotten apple Peter Jensen an aneurism. Thanks for the heads up!