Dignity for all, says bishop in gay debate
THE Bishop of Townsville has weighed in on whether religious schools should be allowed to fire gay staff and expel gay students.
Religious schools would have the right to turn away gay students and teachers under changes to anti- discrimination laws recommended by the Federal Government’s review into religious freedom.
Bishop Tim Harris said he would not issue a directive to Catholic schools, instead preferring cases to be dealt with on an individual basis.
“We will ask our staff at work to live a lifestyle in sync with Catholic teachings and to sign off on that,” he said.
“We then step aside and we trust them with what they signed … we’re not chasing them or keeping tabs on them.
“I think that’s a reasonable request. I hold the view that the reality is, we have gay teachers, we have gay students, we have one or two students dealing with their gender identity within our Catholic school system.”
Bishop Harris said there were many good people, staff and students, who were gay.
“But I don’t know if it’s acceptable for example if a teacher tells their students they’re in a gay relationship and that’s OK to prove a point,” he said.
“That would put us in a very difficult position.
“I think people should keep their sexuality to themselves and not flaunt it or be provocative.”
Bishop Harris said as in the case of Pope Francis, it was not his place to judge others.
“We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, who loves everyone and who broke down barriers and asked us to look below the surface,” he said.
“I believe that God doesn’t make rubbish. If you take that on board and apply it to all of your teachers and students and the world.
“We need to treat all human beings with the dignity they deserve.”