A NSW Catholic priest facing disciplinary action for
expressing his support for marriage equality has slammed the Vatican
for its attempts to censor him.
Amid cheers of support at a rally for marriage equality in Sydney on
Saturday, Father Joseph Sedjrari, a 12-year parish priest, criticised
the Vatican for reprimanding him for committing the “crime of thought”.
“It is still criminal for the Church to think for yourself,” Sedjrari
told the crowd. “Moreover, it’s even more criminal to say something.”
Sedjrari’s comments follows a letter he received from his bishop,
ordering him to recant an email he sent to parliamentarians in February
stating his support for marriage equality.
In that email, Sedjrari said he believed that “most Catholics are in
support of equality for same-sex couples to marry the person they love”.
“I’m currently not allowed to marry same-sex couples under Australian
law but given the chance, I would value any opportunity to bring any
two loving adults together in married life,” the message read.
A few weeks later, Sedjrari said he was contacted by his bishop who
he claims was contacted by the Christian lobby over the email.
“The angry bishop stated, ‘Unfortunately, the content of your email
has become widely known and is cause for scandal’. I was ordered to
recant my opinion and face disciplinary action,” Sedjrari said.
“I was glad to face whatever disciplinary action that comes just because I have committed the crime of thought.”
Sedjrari slammed the Vatican for its attempts at silencing
parishioners on “hot topics” such as women priests, priestly marriage,
abortion and euthanasia.
“However, the worst of the worst of all thought crimes a priest can
commit is to actually say something about marriage equality,” he said.
Sedjrari, who has worked within the Catholic Church for two decades, urged rally participants not to become complacent.
“Please do not think for a moment that equality will just happen over
time. The Christian lobbies are there working hard to make sure it
won’t happen. Please get involved with whatever organisation you think
is really enhancing civil liberties, civil rights, human rights and
equality. I came here to reiterate this year’s Mardi Gras message: ‘say something’.”