MARRIAGE supporters are standing by Hobart’s Catholic archbishop, who ias waiting to be called before Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.
Federal Greens candidate Martine Delaney filed a complaint against Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous based on views that the Australian Catholic bishops’ pastoral letter on marriage breached Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 prohibiting offence and humiliation on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The pastoral letter was distributed in booklet form in a sealed envelope addressed to parents of students attending Tasmania’s Catholic schools and colleges earlier this year.
Archbishop Porteous said he would “defend any complaint” brought against him before the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.
“There should not be threats or intimidation against anyone who expresses a view in favour of traditional marriage,” he said.
“This represents the rise of a new intolerance against Christianity in Australian society.”
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference chair Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart said the complaints against Archbishop Porteous were “a test of our nation’s tolerance”.
“Just as those who oppose the ‘Don’t Mess with Marriage’ message have every right to protest, the Catholic Church must be allowed to stand by its beliefs,” Archbishop Hart said.
“To argue anything else is to be tolerant of one and intolerant of the other.
“And what of religious freedom, the right of individuals and organisations to follow the dictates and teachings of their faith without unfair and unjustified interference?
“Where does that fall in the freedom pecking order?”
Australian Marriage Forum president Dr David van Gend said anti-discrimination complaints against Archbishop Porteous were among a “trifecta” of silences against the “fundamental liberty” for people to argue a case.
“We have lost the pride, self-respect as a country to let people argue their case freely and be rebutted freely, which is the essence of a free society,” Dr van Gend said.
“These so-called anti-discrimination laws exist to intimidate and silence any opinion that the elite do not believe should exist.”
Tasmanian gay rights activist Rodney Croome has been calling people to file complaints against the pastoral letter, but suggested a cup of tea with Archbishop Porteous may heed greater discussion than at a possible hearing.
“I would rather meet the archbishop over a cup of tea than a courtroom,” Mr Croome said.
He said he did not support a call to prevent the Church’s teachings on marriage from being expressed in Australia.
“Freedom of speech and religion are cornerstones of our democracy, but with every freedom comes a responsibility not to harm others, and I believe this particular booklet crosses that line,” Mr Croome said.
“Obviously, the Church disagrees and I would have thought it would welcome an opportunity to vindicate its position through an anti-discrimination hearing.”
– Emilie Ng
