Anglican Communion News Service

The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Revd Harry Goodhew, has joined Cardinal Edward Clancy, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sydney, in urging people to think twice about supporting the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to be held in Sydney on 4th March.

Archbishop Goodhew has issued a statement which calls on the State government, politicians, community leaders and other organisations, including any Christian groups, to reflect on the values and lifestyle which the parade participants 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," said Archbishop Goodhew. "I am pleased to add my own statement concerning the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to that of Cardinal Edward Clancy."

The Archbishop recalls that he was a participant in the debate on the resolution on human sexuality at the 1998 Lambeth Conference.

"An overwhelming number of bishops of the Anglican Communion passed a resolution in which, among other things, they assured homosexual persons that they are loved by God and that all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Church; and they also stated that homosexual practice is incompatible with the teaching of the Scripture," said Archbishop Goodhew, continuing, "I strongly affirmed the views expressed as a clear statement of the teaching of Scripture and an accurate expression of the received teaching of the Christian Church through the ages. Cardinal Clancy is quite correct when he calls the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 'an exercise in gross exhibitionism'. In highly erotic display it promotes a homosexual lifestyle, and is certainly not deserving of the presence or support of citizens of this city."