MEDIA RELEASE
Christian leaders urge Parliament to protect the definition of marriage
(Received by AMF: Sunday 09/09/12)
With Parliamentary debate on marriage beginning again tomorrow in Canberra, 19 of Australia’s denominational leaders and 267 other church leaders have urged the Parliament to protect the Marriage Act.
The leaders have signed a joint statement calling for the Act to remain unchanged.
There are four bills to change the definition of marriage before the Parliament, two of which are expected to be voted on in coming weeks.
“Marriage is the lifelong commitment and faithful union of one man and one woman. As such, marriage is the natural basis of the family because it secures the relationship between biological parents and their children,” The statement says.
Joint Statement on the Significance of Marriage
Marriage is the lifelong commitment and faithful union of one man and one woman. As such, marriage is the natural basis of the family because it secures the relationship between biological parents and their children.
As Christian leaders representing different denominations or churches, we join together and affirm our shared commitment to promote and protect marriage. We honour the unique love between husbands and wives; the vital place of fathers and mothers in the life of children; and the corresponding ideal for all children to know the love and role modelling of a father and mother.
Marriage thus defined is a great good in itself, and it also serves the good of others and society, as it has done for thousands of years. The preservation of the unique meaning of marriage is therefore not a special or limited interest, but serves the common good, particularly the good of children.
We call on Parliament to:
· protect this definition of marriage in Australian law, and
· not change the meaning of marriage by adding to it different kinds of relationships.
DENOMINATIONAL LEADERS
Pastor Wayne Alcorn
National President
AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
The Most Reverend Peter Jensen
Archbishop of the Diocese of Sydney
ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA
Pastor Tim Jack
National Leader
APOSTOLIC CHURCH AUSTRALIA
Pastor David McDonald
National Chairman
CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTRE AUSTRALIA
His Eminence Cardinal George Pell AC
Archbishop of Sydney
CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
Pastor Mark Conner
Senior Minister
CITYLIFE CHURCH
Rev Dr Margaret Court
Senior Pastor
VICTORY LIFE CENTRE INCORPORATED
Very Rev Dr Michael Protopopov OAM
Australian & New Zealand Diocese
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OUTSIDE RUSSIA
Pastor Bill Vasilakis
National Chairman
CRC CHURCHES INTERNATIONAL
The Right Reverend David Jones
Moderator General
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA
His Grace Bishop Suriel
Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
Very Reverend Father Tadros El-Bakhoumi
Diocese Of Sydney And Affiliation Regions
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
Commissioner James Condon
Territorial Commander
THE SALVATION ARMY EASTERN TERRITORY
Commissioner Raymond Finger
Territorial Commander
THE SALVATION ARMY SOUTHERN TERRITORY
Pastor Ken Vogel
General Secretary, Australian Union Conference
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Pastor Graham Nelson
Senior Minister
LIFE MINISTRY CENTRE
The Most Reverend Denis Hart
President
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE
Reverend Keith Jobberns
National Ministries Director
AUSTRALIAN BAPTIST MINISTRIES
BAPTIST UNION OF AUSTRALIA
CHURCH LEADERS
Reverend Father
Abram
Abdelmalek
Parish Priest & Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of WA
Pastor
Gloria J
Alcock
Northern Highlands Christian Outreach Church
Senior Elder
Barry K
Alcock
Northern Highlands Christian Outreach Church
Pastor
Andrew
Allinson
Associate Pastor
North Pine Baptist Church, Murrumba Downs
Pastor
Faamanuia
Aloalii
Hosanna Logan City Church
Pastor
Ruta
Aloalii
Hosanna Logan City Church
Pastor
David
Alston
Living Hope Christian Fellowship, A Foursquare Gospel Church
Pastor
Craig
Anderson
Senior Pastor - Plenty Valley Church
Reverend
Matthew
Anstey
Gold Coast Christian Family
Pastor
Keith
Applegate
Kenmore Baptist Church
Pastor
Andrew
Appleton
Logan City Baptist Church
Reverend Father
Matthew
Attia
St. George Church Kensington, NSW
Pastor
Ray
Baker
Crosswater Church
Anne
Baker
Crosswater Church
Reverend Father
Paula Elkomos
Balamon
Pope Shenouda Coptic Centre Long Point, NSW
Reverend
Peter
Barber
St Andrews Presbyterian Church Townsville (Presbyterian Church of Australia in Queensland).
Pastor
Russell
Barker
Rocky Cape Family Church, Apostolic Church Australia
Pastors
John & Jenny
Barnes
House of the Rock Church Gisborne
Reverend Father
Arsanious
Barsoum
The Apostle and St. Abanoub Church Blacktown, NSW
Reverend Father
Youhanna
Bastawrous
St. Mary and St. Mercurious Church Rhodes, NSW
Reverend
Jay
Beatty
Chuwar Baptist Church
Pastor
Barry
Benz
Gatton Church of Christ
Pastors
Brian & Annette
Bernays
C3 Church Tamworth
Pastor
Lorenzo
Berry
Hervey Bay and Maryborough Seventh-day Adventist Churches
Reverend
Stuart
Bonnington
Scots Presbyterian Church Fremantle
Pastors
Paul & Trischa
Botha
One Church Perth, Merriwa WA
Reverend
Noel
Bowditch
Rector - The Anglican Parish of Burnie
Pastors
Mark & Rina
Bowhay
Christian Outreach Centre
Father
Anastasios
Bozikis
Greek Orthodox Community of St George, Brisbane
Pastor
B. E.
Bramblet
Fellowship Baptist Church, QLD
Reverend
Andrew J
Bray
Immediate Past Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Victoria and Interim Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Geelong.
Captian
Dale
Brooks
Corps Officer
Northside Corps, The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory
Pastors
Roger & Linda
Brown
Morning Star Ministries, QLD
Pastor
Philip
Brown
Port City Church
Elder
Ken
Bruce
COC Bassendean
Reverend
Tony
Burgum
Ferntree Gully Baptist Church
Reverend
Philip
Burns
Bendigo Presbyterian Church
Pastor
Gordon
Busse
Caloundra CityLife Baptist Church
Pastor
Cameron
Butcher
United Pentecostal Church, Ballarat
Reverend
David
Butterfield
Jimboomba Baptist Church
Pastor
Murray
Campbell
Lead Pastor
Mentone Baptist Church
Pastor
Mike
Cardy
Lighthouse Community Church, Lancelin
Reverend
Greg
Carle
Kangaroo Flat Baptist Church, VIC
Pastor
Bruce
Chant
Executive Pastor
One Church Perth, Merriwa WA
Pastor
Geoff
Charles
Springwood Church of Christ
Pastors
Charmayne & Steven
Chinnery
Signs Ministries
Pastor
Steve
Christian
Toowoomba North Church of Christ
Pastor
Malcolm
Clard
Merredin Church of Christ
Pastor
Josh
Cocks
Beaudesert Baptist Church
Pastor
Greg
Coleman
Associate Pastor
Destiny Church, Caboolture
Pastor
Dean
Comeford
Gympie Community Church
Reverend
Kerry
Connell
Executive Pastor
South Bank Baptist Church
Pastor
Peter
Constantine
RiverCity Family Church
Pastor
Ken
Conwell
Beenleigh & District Baptist Church - QLD
Pastor
Tim
Cooper
Lifehouse Church, Maitland
Pastor
Andrew
Corbett
Lagana Christian Church
Pastor
Dermot
Cottuli
Tasmanian State President of the Australian Christian Churches (ACC)
Reverend
Warren
Crank
Northreach Baptist Church, Townsville
Pastor
Mike
Cronin
Australian Missions Director
CRC Churches International
Pastor
Daron
Crothers
C2C Minister
Lifestreams Christian Church South Perth
Pastor
Greg
Cumming
King's Christian Centre, Gold Coast
Pastor
Shayne
Cunningham
Coastwide Church, Gold Coast
Pastor
Millin
Curtis
Connect Church Caboolture, Christian Outreach Centre
Pastors
Nigel & Margaret
Darch
The Life Centre Church, Broadbeach, Gold Coast Queensland.
Pastor
Paul
Dare
Mundubbera Baptist Church
Reverend
Michael
Dasey
Gungahlin Anglican Church.
Thomas
Davenport
National Leader
Dads In Families Foundation
Reverend Dr
Max
Davidson
Malyon College
Pastor
Fred
Davis
Acacia Ridge Church of Christ
Pastor
Kevan
Denny
Sunnybank Church of Christ
Reverend Father
Mina
Diskoros
St. Abram Church Macquarie Fields, NSW
Reverend
Bruce
Docker
Annerley Church of Christ
Pastor
Chris
Downes
Silverdale Church of Christ
Reverend
Jonathan
Downs
Assistant Pastor
Calvary Chapel United Pentecostal Church, Canberra ACT
Pastor
John W
Downs
General Superintendent
United Pentecostal Church of Australia.
Reverend Dr
Mark
Durie
Vicar
St Mary's Anglican Church in Caulfield, Victoria,
Reverend
Tim
Dyer
Kilsyth South Baptist Church
Pastor
Bruce
Eckersley
Dalby Baptist Church
Pastor
Barry
Edwards
Longreach Baptist Church
Very Reverend Father
Augustinos
El-Antony
St. Abu Nofer Church Blacktown, NSW
Reverend Father
Misael
El-Antony
St. Mary and St. Sidhom Beshay Church Dural, NSW
Reverend Father
Stephanos
El-Antony
St. Moses the Mighty and St’s Maximous and Domadios Church Goulburn, NSW
Reverend Father
Moussa
El-Antony
St. Mina and St. Joseph Church Cooperplains QLD
Reverend
Rowan
Evans
Associate Pastor
City Tabernacle Baptist, Qld
Pastor
Karl
Faase
Gymea Baptist Church
Reverend
Christian
Fandrich
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Toowoomba
Pastor
George
Ferguson
Water of Life Christian Church, Mount Isa QLD
Reverend
Geoff
Findlay
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Belconnen
Pastor
Dom
Fiocco
Woden Valley Bible Church
Reverend
Peter
Francis
City Tabernacle Baptist, Qld
Pastor
Peter
Frogley
Ginninderra Christian Church, ACT
Pastor
Steve & Grace
Fuhrmann
Good News Church Bunbury
Reverend Father
Hanna
Gad
St. Demiana and St. Athansios Church Punchbowl, NSW
Reverend Father
Basilios
Gad
St. Pual and St. Rewais Church Colaroy, NSW
Reverend Dr
Chris
Ganter
Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle
Pastor
Stephen
Gellatly
Murgon District Baptist Church
Pastor
Larry
Gibb
Church of Christ Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Pastors
Paul & Robyn
Glazbrook
Covenant Family Church, SA
Pastor
Garth
Grant
Montmorency Community Church
Reverend Father
Abdelmessieh
Guirgis
St. Mary and St. Bakhomios Church Kirrawee, NSW
Reverend
Geoff
Haase
Christian Life Centre
Very Reverend Father
Pavlos
Hanna
St. Abanoub Church Blacktown, NSW
Pastor
David
Helyar
State President of the Australian Christian Churches the Assemblies of God in S.A.
Pastor
Barry
Henderson
Townsville Pentecostal Church Inc.
Pastor
Damien
Heres
Dreambuilders Church - Smithton
Pastor
V.L.
Hinds
Tamar Valley Christian Church
Reverend
Paul
Horton
Heritage of Faith Christian Church, Gold Coast
Reverend
Tracy
Horton
Heritage of Faith Christian Church, Gold Coast
Pastor
Patrick
Humberston
Cornerstone Church
Reverend
Matt
Hunt
Crosslife Baptist Church, Helensvale Qld
Pastor
John
Hunt
State President of the Australian Christian Churches the Assemblies of God in QLD/NT.
Reverend Father
Athanasios
Ibrahim
St. Mary and St. Cosman and Demian Church Harris Park, NSW
Pastor
Adrian
Iles
Agnes Water Baptist Church
Dr
Paul
Inglis
Uniting Church Community Minister (Qld).
Reverend
Rob
Isaachsen
Founder
Transforming Melbourne
Reverend Father
Jonathan
Ishak
St. Mark Church Arncliffe, NSW
Very Reverend Father
Rafael
Iskander
St. George Church Kensington, NSW
Pastor
Paul
Jackson
Park Ridge Baptist Church
Pastor
Lance
Jackson JP
Glen Innes Presbyterian Church
Pastor
Debra
Jenkins
Apostolic Pentecostal Faith Church
Pastor
Royree
Jensen
River of Life City Church
Pastor
Stephen
Jobe
M City Church, Maryborough QLD
Pastor
Roy John
Johnston
NCCC
Reverend
Kim L
Jones
Liberty Family Church, Gosford NSW
Elder
Norman
Kalagayan
Jesus is Lord Church Canberra
Very Reverend Father
Antonios
Kaldas
Archangel Michael and St. Bishoy Church Mt. Druitt, NSW
Reverend
Charles
Kennedy
Ulverstone Presbyterian Church
Peter
Kentley
Convenor
River of Life Conference
Very Reverend Father
Macros
Khela
St. George Church Kensington, NSW
Rueben
Kositsin
Slavic Evangelical Full Gospel Church of Tasmania
Pastor
Candance
Lahr
One Church Perth, Merriwa WA
Reverend
Grant
Lawry
Canterbury Presbyterian Church
Reverend
Clinton
Le Page
Donvale Presbyterian Church
Reverend
Murray
Lean
City North Baptist Church
Dr
Morris
Lee
Gateway Baptist Church
Reverend
Gary
Lockyer
Knox Community Baptist Church
Reverend Dr
David
Loder
General Superintendent
Queensland Baptists
Reverend
Albert
Loder
Bundaberg Baptist Church
Reverend Dr
David
Logan
Armidale Community Church
Pastor
Wayne
Lyons
High Street Church Queanbeyan
The Ven
Peter
MacPherson
Archdeacon of Box Hill
Senior Minister, St Alfred's Blackburn North
Very Reverend Father
Yacoub
Magdy
St. Mark Church, Arncliffe, NSW
Reverend Father
David
Mahrous
Virgin Mary Church Calamvale QLD
Pastor
Slawomir
Malarek
Edens Landing Seventh-day Adventist Church
Reverend
Allan
Male
Church of Christ, Boondall. Qld.
Very Reverend Father
Luke
Malik
St. Mary and St. Marina Church Penrith, NSW
Reverend Father
Shenouda
Mansour
St. Anthony and St. Paul Church Guildford , NSW
Pastor
Eric
Marquez
Jesus is Lord, Canberra
Pastor
Ed
Marshall
Moore Park Baptist Church
Pastor
Jenny
Marshall
Moore Park Baptist Church
Reverend
Russell
Matthews
Associate Pastor
Windsor Road Baptist Church
Colonel
Wayne
Maxwell
Chief Secretary
The Salvation Army, Australia Eastern Territory
Reverend Dr
Edgar
Mayer
Living Grace Lutheran Church, Toowoomba
Pastor
David
McAllan
Echuca Community Church
Pastor
Stuart
McClelland
President – Full Gospel Churches of Australia
Pastor
Garry
McDonald
METRO Church
Reverend
Ian
McIver
Caloundra Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church of Australia
Pastor
John
McMartin
State President of the Australian Christian Churches the Assemblies of God in N.S.W.
Lewis C
McMaster
Director
Emmanuel Christian Schools & Ministries Inc.
Pastor
Tim
McMenamin
Sanctuary Park Church of Christ, Nambour
Pastor
Sandy
McMillan
St Aidan's Presbyterian Church Wagga Wagga
Reverend
Frank
Meijer
Faithpoint Shellharbour NSW
Very Reverend Father
Michael
Michael
St. Mary and St. Mina Church Bexley, NSW
Pastors
Gary & Gloria
Middleton
HOLYROUND MINISTRIES, WA
Alexander
Minchenko
Slavic Penticostal Church, Sydney NSW
Pastor
Don
Modarelli
Northern Beaches Pentecostal Church, Beacon Hill, NSW
Pastor
Duncan
Moody
North Pine Baptist Church, Murrumba Downs
Pastor
Rod
Morris
St Stephen's Anglican Church Greythorn, North Balwyn
Reverend
Vivian
Morse
Wynyard Baptist Church Tasmania
Pastor
Lyall
Muller
Gladstone Church of Christ
Reverend
Gary
Mulquiney
Kambah Anglican Church
Reverend Father
Augustinos
Nada
St. Mark Church Arncliffe, NSW
Reverend Father
George
Nakhil
St. Demiana and St. Athanasious Church Punchbowl, NSW
Leonid
Nehoroshev
Slavic Penticostal Church, Gold Coast Queensand
Dr
Haydn
Nelson
Riverview Church, Perth.
Pastor
Larry
Nelson
Gospel Baptist Church Wanneroo, WA
Reverend
Doug
Newman
St Paul’s Spence ACT
Pastor
Wayne
Nichols
Harvest Christian Centre & Grace Christian Centre
Pastor
Jenny
Nixon
Kingaroy Church of Christ
Pastor
Steve
Nixon
Kingaroy Church of Christ
Pastor
Rob
Nyhuis
South Eastern Christian Centre
Pastor
Jonathan
Oastler
Citilife Church Toowoomba (Christian Outreach Centre)
Reverend
David
O'Brien
Waverley Baptist Church, VIC
Pastor
Maurie
O'Connell
House of God Church, Jerrabomberra
Pastor
Eddie
Olsen
Tumut Valley Christian Fellowship
Pastors
Tim & Sharon
O'Neill
Senior Leaders
New Directions, Launceston Tasmania
Pastor
Mark
Oommen
Victory Life Church Broome
Pastor
Phil
Oster
Ginninderra Christian Church, ACT
Pastor
David
Palmer
Believe Church, QLD
Reverend
Neil
Pattemore
Fairfield Christian Family
Pastor
Ruth
Peckman
Toowoomba Community Baptist Church
Minister
Greg
Peisley
Pitt Town Anglican Community Church
Pastor
Geoff
Pengilly
North Belconnen Baptist
Pastor
Randy
Perkins
Northpointe Baptist Church, Gungahlin ACT
Reverend
Stewart
Pieper
Gladstone Baptist Church
Pastor
Peter
Pilt
Senior Pastor, COC Nowra, NSW
Pastor
Andy
Pitt
One Church Perth, Merriwa WA
Pastor
Matt
Prater
New Hope Brisbane
Pastor
Stuart
Quarterman
Campus Pastor
Crosslife Baptist Church, Helensvale Qld
Father
Peter B
Quin
St Ignatius Parish Toowong.
Very Reverend Father
Georgious
Ramandious
St. Gorge and Prince Tadros Church Liverpool, NSW
Reverend Dr
Andrew
Reid
Lead Pastor
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, VIC
Reverend
Steve
Roberts
Albion Park Anglican Church
Reverend
Brian
Robertson
Coral Coast Christian Church – A Baptist Church Family
Reverend
David
Rock
Church by the bay, Portarlington
Pastor
Steve
Rodda
Hornsby Baptist Church
Reverend
Bob
Rogers
Stafford Heights Baptist Church, QLD
Pastor
Len
Rossow
Genesis Christian Ministries
Pastor
Moa
Sailor
United Pentecostal Church, Beulah Church
Very Reverend Father
Tadros
Samaan
St. Anthony and St. Paul Church Guildford, NSW
Reverend
Ashley
Saunders
Ipswich Baptist Church
Pastor
Richard
Schoenmaker
Mt Evelyn Christian Reformed Church
Pastor
Darryl
Schwarz
Spirit Song Church, Horsham, VIC
Reverend Father
James
Sculy
The four Incorporeal Creatures Church Ningi QLD
Reverend
Craig
Semple
Phillip Island Baptist Church
Reverend
Graeme R
Semple
Moolap Baptist Church
Pastor
Ian
Shelton
Toowoomba City Church
Pastor
Malcolm
Shooter
Dubbo Christian Outreach Centre (Riverside Church Dubbo), and Gilgandra Christian Outreach Centre
Reverend
Ian
Slack
Heritage of Faith Christian Church, Gold Coast
Reverend
Diane
Slack
Heritage of Faith Christian Church, Gold Coast
Pastor
Gifford
Smith
Withcott Church of Christ
Very Reverend Father
Moussa
Soliman
St. Abraam Church Peakhurst, NSW
Pastor
Victor
Soo
Reach community church
Pastor
TReverendor
Springate
Christian Victory Centre, Warwick QLD
Pastor
Jenny
Spyve
Rivers Community Church
Pastor
Sean
Stanton
Canberra Christian Life Centre, ACT
Pastor
Dale
Stephenson
Crossway Baptist Church
Reverend
Keith
Stevenson
Hervey Bay Baptist Church
Pastor
Don
Stewart
Bundamba and Springfield Oasis Church of Christ
Pastor
Ron
Stocks
Caloundra Church of Christ
Reverend
Peter
Sweetman
Bridgeman Baptist Community Church
Gregory
Tarasenko
Slavic Penticostal Church, Orange NSW
Pastor
Carneliu
Telegaru
Rising Sun International, Churches of Christ in Qld
Reverend
Stephen
Thomas
Stanley River Valley Community Church
Reverend
Peter M
Thompson
Vision Christian Fellowship
Church Elder
Bruce
Thomson
Tuggeranong Presbyterian Church, ACT
Reverend
Peter
Tuchyna
United Pentecostal Church of Australia Inc. in ACT
Pastor
Richard
Utber
Nowra Baptist Church
Reverend
Russell
van Delden
Arundel Presbyterian Church
Reverend
Nico
Van deVenter
Heritage of Faith Christian Church, Gold Coast
Reverend
Marcel
Van deVenter
Heritage of Faith Christian Church, Gold Coast
Ivan
Vinaev
Slavic Penticostal Church, Adelaide, South Australia
Pastor
Trever B
Vinnell
SouthLakes Christian Fellowship Inc.
Pastor
Glen
Vonhoff
Church of Christ, Murgon
Very Reverend Father
Samuel
Wadie
St. Mary Church, Bexley, NSW
Reverend Father
Mattaous
Wahba
St. Mina and St. Anthony Church Helensvale QLD
Pastor
Myles
Waldron
Mackay Church of Christ
Reverend
Neil
Walthew
Rector
St Peters Anglican Church, Wanneroo
Pastor
Simon
Ward
Arana Hills Church of Christ
Pastor
Keith
Ware
Byford Baptist Church
Pastor
Neil
Warner
The Chruch of Christ Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast QLD
Pastor
John
Warwick
WA ACC State President
Reverend Father
Yastos
Wasef
St. Mary and St. John Church Wagga Wagga, NSW
Martin
Weatherston
Authorised Marriage Celebrant for Zebulun Home Fellowships WA
Reverend
John
Westendrop
Moderator
Christian Reformed Churches of Australia.
Reverend
Geoff
Westlake
Cheers Neighbors Network
Pastor
Graham
Wheat
Coomera Christian Community
Pastor
Rodney
Whitford
Western Port Christian Family Church, Tyabb Vic
Pastor
Bruce
Wilding
Wondai Baptist Church
Pastor
Nathanael
Wood
Seaview Church
Pastor
Anthony
Woodward
Cannon Hill Baptist Church
Pastor
Martin
Woodward
SouthernLife Church Inc., NSW
David
Worboys
Warden
St Martins Anglican Church, NSW
Pastor
David
Wright
Cairns Family Church, CRC Churches International
Hank
Wurtz
Haterite Christian Community, Detention River, Tasmania
Very Reverend Father
Bishoy
Yassa
St. Mary St. Abu Sefein Church Concord, NSW
Reverend Father
Gabriel
Yassa
Archangel Michael Church Mt. Druitt, NSW
Pastor
Li Fang
Zhou
Chinese Methodist Church in Canberra
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