Christian leaders urge Parliament to protect the definition of marriage

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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