Media Release
Saturday December 23rd 2017
Archbishop Fisher's Christmas message reportedly declares 2017 an "annus horribilis" (horrible year) because of, among other things, marriage equality and the child sex abuse royal commission.
Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
"It is morally wrong to draw any link between marriage equality and the royal commission."
"One is about the equal recognition of loving, committed adult relationships while the other is about the church's failure to stop the sexual abuse of children."
"I don't expect Archbishop Fisher to embrace marriage equality but I'm disappointed he continues to demonise it by association."
"The Archbishop's words are particularly disappointing at Christmas time when many Catholic families are preparing for the joyful summer wedding of a loved one."
"Polls repeatedly showed a majority of Catholics back marriage equality, so the Archbishop's unfair comments will do nothing but weaken his authority."
"The one point at which the Archbishop is correct is when he says young people will right the wrongs of the Church, because young Catholics overwhelmingly support marriage equality."
According to news reports Archbishop Fisher's Christmas message says:
"For people of faith you might say it (2017) has been an 'annus horribilis', as our Christian conceptions of life and love have been challenged in the marriage and euthanasia debates, freedom of religion in Australia put in doubt and shameful crimes and cover ups in our church uncovered by the royal commission.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
