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Ministers say Sorry to gay community |
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Thursday, 07 February 2008 |
A group of 100 Christian ministers have declared they will march in this year's Mardi Gras to apologise for what they describe as the church’s unwelcoming attitude to gays and lesbians.
“As ministers of various churches and denominations we recognise that the churches we belong to, and the church in general, have not been places of welcome for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people,” the group said in a statement.
“For these things we apologise. We are deeply sorry and ask the forgiveness of the GBLT
community.”
Organiser Anthony Venn-Brown, author and former evangelist within the Assemblies of God, said in a statement that the march of the “100 Revs” was intended as an act of reconciliation that "demonstrates that times are changing".
"This wonderful act reminds me of the time the NSW Police marched in the parade for the first time,” Venn-Brown said.
“ It was a sign of progress when the very organisation that had imprisoned the first marchers in 1978, joined the parade as participants, 20 or so years later.
“These ministers are the closest example I can see of the Jesus we read about the New Testament and that a more informed understanding of homosexuality is reaching all denominations."
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