Homophobia 'rife' in the church

Homophobia is claimed to be rife in the church

The Christian Church supports "the majority of homophobic abuse" claims a report published by a lesbian and gay Christian group.

The report, said to be the world's first examination of Christian homophobia, has been published by the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement.

It says homosexuals are expelled from congregations, excluded from using church run welfare and housing organisations and are denied the use of church premises.

It outlines the effects of violence and discrimination against gays and recommends ways in which it can be tackled within the Church, including homophobia awareness courses for church leaders.

Father Neil Follett went into hiding after admitting he was gay

Richard Kirker, of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM), said: "Homophobia is a scandal and an offence to the Gospel which is causing much harm to many individuals.

"If our Churches are ever to become safe places for lesbian and gay people they will have to act as if they know homophobia is an evil and must be confronted whenever it surfaces."

The report sets out the findings of the Commission on Christian Homophobia, set up by the LGCM.

Victims of discrimination in the Church will be able to call a Christian Homophobia Hotline, set up by the group in response its findings.

Outlawed

The report comes as the first session of the new General Synod of the Church of England takes place at Westminster.

It also follows a period of political controversy over issues affecting homosexuals.

Recent debates have included the repeal of Section 28, lowering the age of consent for gay men, homosexuals in the armed forces, and the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy.

After last year's bombing of a gay pub in Soho, London, intolerance towards homosexuality is now considered less acceptable within most UK Churches.

However, hardline Christians are uncompromising in their opposition and insist that the bible outlaws homosexuality.

Warning against the rise of fundamentalist Christian groups, the report points to their links with the American religious right and the in-roads made into Parliamentary lobbying.