KENILWORTH, 26 MAY 2004 — A new document published today by the Catholic Church in England and Wales sets out “moral guidance” for the faithful. Although it has toned down the violent language which has been recently used by the Vatican in relation to gay rights, the message is the same – gay relationships which are “expressed sexually” are wrong.
George Broadhead, secretary of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA), said: “This document is supposed to show a more compassionate side to the Catholic Church. But as far as gay people are concerned, the Catholic Church is about as compassionate as a shoal of piranhas. The Vatican has declared war on gay rights and we shouldn’t be distracted by this supposedly placatory document. The velvet glove conceals the same old iron fist.
“It is amusing, also, to be lectured on morality by an institution which has reigned over decades of unrestrained child abuse. Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, the man who has issued today’s document, was subject to a police investigation when it was revealed that he had shifted a known child abusing priest from one parish to another, where the priest continued to abuse children until the authorities found out. Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor is the last person I want to hear moralising.”