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SCMP Editorial

The Catholic Church's opposition to same-sex marriage is to be expected. But it nonetheless raised eyebrows when the church went a step further by urging voters in the district council polls to take candidates' position on gay rights into account.
The church would speak up against homosexual behaviour just as it would against drug abuse, a top bishop said.
READ MORE: ‘Homosexuality just like drug abuse’: Hong Kong bishop defends anti-gay stance of Cardinal John Tong Hon
The remarks, which came as the city's gay pride parade drew a record turnout of 10,000 people at the weekend, fuelled backlash from gay rights activists.
The head of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the city's anti-discrimination watchdog, also expressed concerns that politics was mixing with religious beliefs.
The Hong Kong Catholic Diocese is known for being vocal on issues like democracy and social justice. Its position on gay marriage was reiterated in a pastoral letter from Cardinal John Tong Hon, who said the city's core values on marriage and family were being challenged by sexual liberation and gay rights movements.

Watch: Hong Kong LGBT protesters say city lags behind in gay rights
The remarks raised question about whether the local church was taking a harsher line than Pope Francis, who has struck a more conciliatory tone on gay issues.
The reference to drug abuse by auxiliary Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung was probably just an example to illustrate the church's position on homosexuality. Abusing drugs was wrong, he said, but the church still cared about drug addicts. But the church's position could be misunderstood as denigrating homosexuals by linking them to drug abusers.
The cardinal's appeal to followers to take into account candidates' position on gay rights is unprecedented in Hong Kong. Like other social groups, the church is entitled to defend its beliefs. But it should be noted that most district council aspirants do not make clear their stance on gay rights.
The issue arguably becomes even less relevant as the district councils have no power to legislate. Whether a candidate's position on gay issues should be taken into account is ultimately for voters to decide.


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LGBTQ

Hong Kong's Catholic Church leaders linking gay rights with drug abuse is just plain wrong

When beliefs are far from catholic

Supporters from a gay Christian group rallied at the annual Gay Pride Parade in Hong Kong on Saturday. Photo: AP

Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung (left) and Cardinal John Tong Hon this past week voiced their opinion against gays. Photo: Felix Wong

Gay pride in Hong Kong: top diplomats join 10,000 in march after top Catholic's anti-gay letter causes outrage

Hong Kong's streets were coloured by rainbow flags as protesters marched in the city's annual gay pride parade this Saturday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Leung Kwok-hung, a member of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, takes part in the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) parade in Hong Kong calling for equality and same-sex marriage. Photo: AFP

. Photo: AFP

A Participant of the LGBT community march wears a Darth Vader mask during the 13th annual Taipei Gay Pride march in Taipei at the end of October. Photo: EPA

A participant holds a placard demanding the rights for gay couples to have babies during the annual pride parade in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters

The pride parade came two days after Hong Kong's Catholic bishop commented that gay rights movement has 'shaken our society to its core'. Photo: AP

Hong Kong's Gay Pride march attracted its largest numbers in history. Image: Twitter Gay Star News

Participants participate in a gay pride parade in Taipei at the end of October. Photo: AP

Hong Kong's Gay Pride march attracted its largest numbers in history. Photo: Facebook

Former health chief York Chow (3rd right) took part in the annual Pride Parade. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Catholic bishop of Hong Kong hits out at gay marriage and tells flock to consider the issue before voting

John Tong had strong words for those advocating gay rights. Photo: K. Y. Cheng  

Children raised in religious homes tend to be ‘meaner’ than kids from secular ones, study shows

The report pointed out that 5.8 billion humans, representing 84 per cent of the worldwide population, identify as religious. Photo: AFP

The report pointed out that 5.8 billion humans, representing 84 per cent of the worldwide population, identify as religious. Photo: Reuters

Opinion

Hong Kong's Catholic Church leaders linking gay rights with drug abuse is just plain wrong

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}READ MORE: ‘Homosexuality just like drug abuse’: Hong Kong bishop defends anti-gay stance of Cardinal John Tong Hon

READ MORE: ‘Homosexuality just like drug abuse’: Hong Kong bishop defends anti-gay stance of Cardinal John Tong Hon