MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE NSW COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

5 August 2003

New South Wales Council of Churches’ President welcomes Prime Minister Howard’s stand against gay ‘marriage’

The New South Wales Council of Churches meeting today in Sydney welcomed the comments of Prime Minister John Howard on gay ‘marriages’.

Mr Howard has joined the President of the United States and the Vatican in opposing state support for same-sex marriage. He made his views known in an exclusive interview he gave to a Brisbane newspaper [Courier Mail].

“We welcome this statement from our Prime Minister which shows that he is supportive of the traditional views of marriage and the family that are the basis on which our society has been built and which guarantee its survival,” said the Rev Chris Moroney, President of the NSW Council of Churches. “Indeed this understanding of marriage is the very cornerstone of our society.”

“The Bible teaches that marriage is a union between a man and a woman for life, and that outside of heterosexual marriage celibacy is the only alternative for men and women. This is the view of marriage and family affirmed and taught by Christian churches through the ages. It is still the view held by the overwhelming majority of Christians around the world.

“The ideal place for the nurture of children as they grow to maturity is in the context of a loving and committed marriage between their mother and father. There are times when a marriage fails or a partner dies but it is still essential that the child knows and carries memories of the love of their mother and father.

“It is encouraging for the churches to see this unambiguous stand from the political leaders of our nation. We note that Deputy PM John Anderson made similar comments some days ago. We offer them our warmest support in this stand,” Mr Moroney said.

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