Article Added On: January 18, 2005 - over 5 years ago
Title: Canadian bishop slams "evil" gay relationships
Author: Ben Townley
Publication: Gay.com UK
Publication Date: January 01, 2005 - over 5 years ago
Faith Groups: Roman Catholic
Themes: same sex marriage/blessing

Abstract: According to a report by gay.com, a senior Catholic bishop in Calgary issued a letter, calling on the government to suppress gay rights. In the letter, which he issued to churches in the Alberta region, Bishop Frederick Henry stated that since homosexuality, adultery, prostitution and pornography undermine the foundations of the family, the basis of society, then the state must use its coercive power to proscribe or curtail them in the interests of the common good.

Tuesday 18 January, 2005

A senior Catholic bishop in Canada has angered gay rights groups, after apparently calling on the country's government to suppress gay rights.

In a letter to churches in the Alberta region, Calgary's Bishop Frederick Henry said the government must work to halt behaviour that he felt could "harm" modern society.

"Since homosexuality, adultery, prostitution and pornography undermine the foundations of the family, the basis of society, then the state must use its coercive power to proscribe or curtail them in the interests of the common good," Bishop Henry said in the letter.

"An evil act remains an evil act whether it is performed in public or in private," he added.

The comments come as Canada moves ever closer to legalising same-sex marriage.

Ceremonies are already legal in many states and the government is looking into allowing countrywide legislation through parliament in the coming months.

Religious leaders have been quick to state their opposition to such plans.

Earlier this month, the Pope called on Catholics across the world to oppose same-sex marriage detailing it as his priority for 2005.

Previously, he has used other senior church members to condemn the issue, most notably in countries where lesbian and gay unions are being debated.

In his letter, Bishop Henry said Catholics should contact their MPs and register their opposition to same-sex marriage.

"The denial of the social and legal status of marriage to same-sex couples is not discrimination. It is not something opposed to justice; on the contrary, justice requires such an opposition," he wrote.

If Canada pushes ahead with legalising same-sex marriage, it will join Belgium, the Netherlands and some parts of the US in offering full marriage rights.