MORE than 75 per cent of people think schools should not promote a view on marriage equality, a Fairfax Media poll has found.
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Some parents were outraged after a letter urging them to vote “no” on marriage equality was sent home with Catholic school students.
In a poll on the Express website, more than 300 of 400 votes said no to the schools taking sides on the matter.
Despite the backlash, Bishop of the Diocese of Armidale, Michael Kennedy, said he felt it was his responsibility to make the teachings of the Catholic Church clear.
“I judged the present national discussion around marriage to be such an instance,” Reverend Kennedy said.
“It is natural that my communication with the Catholic community would involve our school communities which includes parents and guardians.”
The Bishop’s letter was sent to members of the church and parents of school children.
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a covenant by which a man and a woman establish a partnership for the whole of life for their mutual well-being and for the purpose of founding a family.
“Homosexual persons must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity,” Reverend Kennedy wrote in the letter.
“The postal survey on marriage now asks our nation this important question: “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?”
“My own love and respect for my homosexual friends does not prevent me from voting “no” to this question.”
Reverend Kennedy wrote that in Western countries similar to Australia that have changed the definition of marriage – those that have resisted marriage equality have been bullied and harassed.
The letter to parents was sent home from schools on September 15.