Cry for the City!

It has often been said that Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Certainly, of those I have seen in my travels there is nothing to compare. The beautiful harbour, the rocky foreshores, the golden beaches and the man-made structures like the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House combine to make this a very special place.

And, with the Olympic Games coming up in a few months time, the eyes of the world are focussed upon us like never before. Already, we have had an impact, with the New Year' s Eve celebrations, and especially the portrayal of "Eternity" being seen around the world. What a privilege it is to live here, and what opportunities there are for us over the next few months to have a positive ministry to the rest of the world.

But all is not well in this beautiful city! Not only have we had an eruption of violent gang warfare over the past few months, there is an even more insidious black cloud of evil hanging over us. Next week-end there will be held, with financial support and encouragement from the government and much fanfare from the media, the so-called 'Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras'.

As was noted in the Herald and on radio last week, our Anglican Archbishop has joined Cardinal Clancy in condemning this event. Archbishop Goodhew's statement, as released to the media, runs as follows:

"I call on the State government, politicians and community leaders generally, and other community organisations, including any Christian groups who might show support to the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, to reflect again on the values, and lifestyle they are endorsing.

Above all I entreat them to consider the model for life and relationships that they offer to the children and youth of this community by showing their support to the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

I am pleased to add my own statement concerning the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to that of Cardinal Edward Clancy. He informs readers of the Catholic Weekly that, though his Church recognises there may be no responsibility on the part of homosexuals for their homosexual condition, it is still the teaching of the Church "that homosexual practices are contrary to the moral law" and that "homosexual people are required to exercise self-discipline and to avoid such conduct." .

In 1998 an overwhelming number of bishops at the Lambeth Conference of Bishops of the Anglican Communion passed a resolution concerning human sexuality, in which, among other things, they assured homosexual persons that they are loved by God and that all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Church; and they also stated that homosexual practice is incompatible with the teaching of the Scripture.

"I was a participant in the debate on this resolution," Archbishop Goodhew said, " and I strongly affirmed the views expressed as a clear statement of the teaching of Scripture and an accurate expression of the received teaching of the Christian Church through the ages.

"Cardinal Clancy is quite correct when he calls the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 'an exercise in gross exhibitionism'. In highly erotic display it promotes a homosexual lifestyle, and is certainly not deserving of the presence or support of citizens of this city," the Archbishp said.

I am grateful that our Archbishop has taken such a clear stand on this matter, but I believe that we need to go further than just withholding our support of this event. The Bible is unequivocal in describing homosexual acts as perversion, deserving the wrath of God. Of course, things like envy, gossip, and disobedience to parents also draw God's wrath, but these are not approved and promoted in the way that homosexuality is. In the catalogue of sins in Romans Chapter 1 it would seem that approval of sinful practise is the worst sin of all. 

The city of Sodom is proverbial in the Bible as a place that was destroyed by God as a judgment against its exceeding wickedness. The chief sin of that city, for which an outcry went up to heaven, was the blatant practise of homosexuality . ( Genesis 18: 19 )

We need to do more than just stay away from the event. We need to cry out to God for his mercy on our city. We need to cry out for God's Spirit to change people's hearts and bring them to repentance. We need to cry out for our Government that they turn from expediency to righteousness. Lest our beautiful city be destroyed, let us cry for the city .

John Davies
27 February 2000