Social work lecturer Vincent Wijeysingha has condemned an open letter written by the archbishop of the Catholic church in Singapore William Goh, "Re-statement of the church's position on the family".
In a Facebook note published on Monday, the 44-year-old, who publicly came out as a gay man last year, also revealed that he had come into "unfortunate contact with a priest who would engage me in play wrestling and attempt to touch my crotch in the process". This happened, he said, when he was 15.
Wijeysingha added, "He once brought me to his bedroom and took a stack of pornographic magazines from his wardrobe to show me."
Masking real intent?
On Goh's letter, Wijeysingha termed it a "cynical attempt to portray the church as a compassionate and empathetic organisation concerned for the souls of LGBT people".
He accused the Catholic Church in Singapore as attempting to "come across as nice guys intent only upon the salvation of souls", but masking the church's "real revulsion towards LGBT people".
In his open letter, published on 21 June, the archbishop had stated that the Catholic church regarded each individual, regardless of their sexual orientation as being a child of God, "and is therefore worthy of love and respect", and that the church also discouraged discrimination of any kind.
However, the archbishop also upheld the Church's stance in discouraging LGBT sexual relationships and lifestyles as they are "detrimental" to society and "not helpful" to human development and "contrary" to Christian values". Goh then urged those who are struggling to integrate their faith and their sexual orientation to seek counselling and spiritual support.
The archbishop had mentioned setting up support groups "to assist those who are struggling with same sex attraction and their loved ones who have difficulty accepting them" in a previous open letter about LGBT issues, with regard to the Sexuality FAQ that had been posted on the Health Promotion Board (HPB) website earlier this year.
His latest letter is coming amid an ongoing controversy between the "Wear White" camp – those who support a campaign to wear white clothing during an evening Muslim prayer which will be held on the same day as an annual LGBT-rights rally – and supporters of the rally, known as Pink Dot.
Referring to the alleged episode with the priest, Wijeysingha said that the incident "never seemed momentous and so far as I'm aware, it didn't damage me".
Yahoo Singapore has contacted Vincent Wijeysingha and the archbishop for comment.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/vincent-wijeysingha-hits-out-at-singapore-archbishop-s-open-letter-about-lgbt-individuals-030444396.html
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar