In the light of God's creation of and love for all people, regardless of sexual orientation we are alarmed at the rise of homophobic behaviour and public statements.

• Call on all Christians to renounce homophobia as any part of the Christian Gospel. Homophobia in all its forms is inherently evil.

• Call on Christian leaders to publicly repudiate any comments, which tend to discredit, to disadvantage or to promote fear, envy or hatred of the people of any sexual orientation.

levels of homophobia

In a pastoral letter to American Catholics, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops urged parents of homosexual children to accept their children's sexual orientation. In the message entitled Always our Children the Bishops stress that the Church's teachings on human dignity and respect be extended to all regardless of their sexual orientation. It provided suggestions for parents coming to terms with their children's sexual orientation and integrating it with their religious beliefs.