World Youth Day Pilgrims: "Gays Will Burn In Hell"

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 16th July, 2008

So World Youth Day is now officially opened. Last night more than 150,000 pilgrims converged on Sydney’s Darling Harbour, resulting in what some have called a “Catholic Woodstock”, complete with singing and dancing.

Although not everyone is in a celebratory mood. Like Andrew, who called ABC’s Radio 702 yesterday to share his story.

“I’m a Catholic and through our local church we volunteered to host five pilgrims at our house,” said Andrew. “We thought it would be a good way to kind of share our house and [do the right thing]. Anyway we had them come to stay and we put on a big – they’re Kiwis these five people that came – and we put on this big spread for them, seafood, wine everything.”

Andrew said that at one point one of the pilgrims said, “I thought we were staying with a couple,” to which Andrew replied “Well you are!” It was then that he introduced them to his partner. “I said, well I’m gay and this is my, you know, boyfriend. And they said, oh we have to leave, that’s against God.”

Not only did the pilgrims leave, they actually went so far as to tell Andrew that he’d burn in hell. “They said, you know, we have to leave and they were going to stay for a week and they got in the cab and left on the first night.”

Toni Matthews, host of the program, consoled Andrew by saying, “Well, my understanding is that you’re not burning in hell, but they will definitely try to help you.” She added that obviously this mustn’t be the official World Youth Day stance on the matter, given that Andrew had gone through all the proper channels. “I’m sure they wouldn’t have been billeted with you otherwise.”

“I was quite offended really,” said Andrew. “But, I suppose, you know, what are you going to do?”

So much for generosity and goodwill between Catholics. It’s sad that this man had taken these people into his home out of the goodness of his heart and all he got in return was a slap in the face.

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