After its success in Ireland and then the United States, the movement to legalise same-sex marriage is now knocking on Australia's doors to the dismay of devoted Christians in the Land Down Under.
Australian Archbishop Anthony Fisher revealed recently that "there are voices in our culture that no longer think marriage need be for life, or be open to children, or be exclusive, or be between man and wife."
Addressing the faithful during the Annual Marriage Mass with Renewal of Vows at Saint Mary's Cathedral in Sydney last July 12, Fisher said those behind this movement "write off as benighted and bigoted those who stand by marriage as traditionally understood."
The archbishop warned that "powerful forces are determined to silence any alternative to the politically correct position in this matter; to bully us all into accepting the deconstruction and redefinition of a fundamental institution."
Fisher was apparently referring to the Australian Marriage Equality (AME) campaign that is aiming to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia.
AME claims it has the backing of 667 organisations, 65 MPs and 37 senators. The latest poll, according to the group, showed that 69 percent of Australians support gay marriage.
Fisher said marriage is a "comprehensive bodily, psychological and spiritual union between a man and a woman whereby they become 'one flesh' and so found a family," according to LifeSiteNews.
He added that traditional marriage brings together "man and woman, sex and love, love and babies, parents and children."
"To say this is not to criticise anyone," Fisher said, adding that "we know and love others with same-sex attraction, who understandably want their friendships to last and be honoured."
However, not all Christians seem to be on the same page as Fisher on the issue of same-sex union. Recently, some parents and students in Catholic schools in Sydney protested a May 28 pastoral letter titled "Don't Mess With Marriage" issued by the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference.
Politics is also involved in the equation with Labour Party opposition leader Bill Shorten introducing a bill to legalise same-sex "marriage" last June 1.
Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott is facing mounting pressure to yield on the issue as lawmakers press for a vote to legalise same-sex marriage.
A Catholic, Abbott is firmly opposed to gay marriage but he faces strong pressure from a libertarian faction in his party and from his own lesbian sister, who is reportedly engaged to a woman.
