A Sydney Anglican bishop has known as on the Albanese authorities to implement a proposed non secular discrimination invoice following the resignation of Essendon Soccer Membership’s new CEO after his hyperlinks to a controversial church surfaced.
The Bombers amid backlash over his function as chairman of the Melbourne-based Metropolis on a Hill church.
In sermons from 2013 – a yr earlier than Mr Thorburn grew to become chairman – the church described practising homosexuality as a sin and likened abortion to the homicide of individuals in focus camps.
Sydney Anglican Bishop Michael Stead claimed that regardless of widespread criticism, these sermons had been “not excessive”, and mirrored beliefs held by varied faiths.
In a press release for the Freedom of Religion authorized assume tank, he mentioned Australians must be shocked by Mr Thorburn’s therapy and known as on the federal authorities to urgently implement a promised non secular discrimination invoice.
Andrew Thorburn is chairman of Metropolis on a Hill, a church that condemns homosexuality. Supply: AAP / Dan Peled
“He has been pushed out of his new function solely due to the ethical and non secular views expressed on a church web site with which he’s related,” Bishop Stead mentioned.
“This motion exhibits there isn’t any dedication by the Essendon board to embrace a variety of ethical or non secular views.”
The Albanese authorities has promised legal guidelines to ensure non secular freedom however has .
to dam then-prime minister Scott Morrison’s non secular discrimination legal guidelines over inadequate protections for LGBTIQ+ individuals.
Opposition chief Peter Dutton mentioned the church’s feedback on homosexuality and abortion had been abominable however didn’t replicate Mr Thorburn’s views.
“The truth that a person might be sacked from a place due to his non secular perception does not have anywhere in our nation,” he instructed reporters on Wednesday.
“Whether or not it is Christianity, whether or not it is Judaism, whether or not you are a part of a mosque, or a temple – it does not matter. We do not tolerate discrimination towards anyone on that foundation.”
Mr Thorburn’s resignation was , which advocates for Essendon’s LGBTIQ+ supporters and gamers.
‘True tolerance consists of individuals of religion’
Mr Thorburn launched a press release on Wednesday during which he mentioned he had acquired tons of of messages of help, and declared it a “harmful thought” that somebody’s religion might lead to them being deemed unsuited to a task.
“It’s troubling that religion or affiliation with a church, mosque, synagogue or temple might render an individual instantly unsuited to holding a specific function,” the previous NAB boss mentioned.
“That could be a harmful thought, one that can solely cut back tolerance for others and variety of thought and participation in our group and workplaces.
“True tolerance, inclusion and variety additionally consists of individuals of religion.”
Former Essendon chairman Paul Little criticised the membership’s present management for an absence of professionalism across the course of that led to Mr Thorburn’s appointment.
Mr Little mentioned the membership’s due diligence ought to have uncovered Mr Thorburn’s hyperlinks to Metropolis on a Hill earlier than he was appointed to the function.
Mr Thorburn was initially a part of the panel put in place to pick Essendon’s new CEO, earlier than being invited to use for the function himself.
At a press convention on Tuesday night, Essendon president Dave Barham mentioned he “reference checked (Mr Thorburn) completely” and “had no cause to assume something apart from he was an appropriate candidate”.