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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Your Thoughts

Anthony Mahera

said ages ago

I'm sorry but majority of the time when discrimination against gay's is reported from all over the world it has some connection to the church.

zebra-stripes

said ages ago

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Bren

said ages ago

Sorry, zebra-stripes. I will try to obey you more diligently on this, your website, where my mere posting is obviously a forced imposition on you personally. Thanks for your kind advice. Well said, Christian :) As an ex-Catholic, I would say a "genuine Catholic" is one who strives at all times to obey the rules (doctrine) of the Catholic Church. Ordinary people do not make these rules. The Church does. It's not a democracy. It is [URL="http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=magisterium"]magisterium. The Church has a committee, The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, that sets the rules. The Church CEO, Mr Benedict Sixteen, authorises and promotes them. Whatever the Church says "is Catholic", must be. They own the Catholic brand. They decide. What has the Church, via Benedict, decided about gays?: So while offense at religion-bashing is understandable, spare a thought for what causes it: the rules of the Church, the way it operates, and the irreconcilably cruel, untenable position in which it holds gay people, the open-minded, and caring ordinary Catholics alike. [COLOR=White].

zebra-stripes

said ages ago

Are people able to delete posts? Or is this something that requires admin involvement?

oktobr

said ages ago

Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth... I wonder if this is the mentality of most of the 'pilgrims' that have come to our city?

thephantom

said ages ago

Don't the pilgrims read their Bible? "Love your neighbour, as you would yourself" In other words, treat others how you would like to be treated yourself - without all the bigotry and hatred!

alfchuah

said ages ago

Our very very pro-gay Anne Hathaway once said this for her brother, she felt that she could not be part of a religion that disapproved of her brother's sexual orientation. She was raised Catholic. My comment is always, don't give them power. Why believe in something that allows the followers to be so hateful?

scotty1806

said ages ago

I find this very rude and inconsiderate. Its funny that they would not sleep in the host's house simply due to their sexual orientation. I find this highly immature. Oh well their loss..

Robbie1980

said ages ago

We have such a long way to go still... so sad :(

singforabsolution

said ages ago

There is something seriously wrong here. Even if that is the belief of these individuals who stayed with the host. If you read the New Testament Jesus was hanging out with people whose lifestyles or practices he disagreed with, in fact he went out of his way to be in their presence, in no way did he leave their house!

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