Priest to back LGBT teachings
First from church to support campaign
A Cambuslang priest has become the first in Scotland to publicly back the teaching of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in schools.
Father Paul Morton, of Saint Bride’s Parish Church, is the first Catholic clergyman to endorse the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign which aims to tackle homophobic bullying in schools.
The popular priest – who this summer said the Catholic Church must redress the harm it has done to gay people in the past – is calling for an end to all prejudice-based bullying.
He has joined other faith leaders from the Scottish Episcopal Church and Church of Scotland in supporting the TIE campaign.
It is working with the Scottish Government to introduce a programme of LGBT-inclusive education into all Scottish schools as part of a new national approach to tackle high rates of homophobic and transphobic bullying.
It comes as research reveals 90 per cent of LGBT people experience homophobia at school, while 27 per cent say they have attempted suicide due to bullying.
Father Morton said: “As a Catholic priest I have met many people who struggle with their sexuality, and I know the great harm that this has done in the lives of many men and women. I want this to be a thing of the past and I believe that this is the intention behind the TIE campaign.
“It is clear the TIE campaign is on the frontline of reaching out to young people in Scotland who are trying to understand both their sexuality and their identity. I cannot help but be impressed by both the clarity and vision that they have for their work.
“Most of all I want to give my unequivocal support to those who will benefit from it – a huge number of young people across the length and breadth of Scotland.
“In times gone by the church was always a building which people went to for sanctuary – it is my hope that the church can be that once again for LGBTI people.”
Jordan Daly, of TIE, said: “We are delighted and encouraged by Father Morton’s support for our campaign. This is culturally and historically significant, as his stance further highlights that having faith and supporting LGBT rights are not mutually exclusive nor controversial.”
Father Morton’s backing of the campaign has been praised by thousands of people and comes just months after he issued a statement on social media stating gay people were “welcome and accepted at every level in the church, without exception”.
Speaking to the Reformer in July, he said: “In God’s house all are welcome and are the blessed and loved children of God. There should be no place in our language or our attitude which allows for prejudice or exclusion.
“We must join with others who are seeking to build a more inclusive society.”