I feel uneasy about yet another Gay versus Catholic or Christian story but maybe that is not the actual issue. I am beginning to think that it is more about the influence and power of a particular group within society, I do not think that it is a gay mafia but rather a neo-socialist puritanism that infects declining New Labour. Last year the head of the Muslim Council of Great Britain, Sir Iqbal Sacranie was interrogated by the police because he said homosexual practices were "not acceptable" and civil partnerships between gays were "harmful". Phrases like "diversity training" which seem to be a euphemism for another euphemism, much favoured by Communist regimes, "re-education". and demotion are for people with religious convictions deeply worrying. It is saying our values, which formed western society are not just no longer acceptable but are actually punishable and therefore are in fact criminal. We should watch these developments within the UK with growing anxiety and foreboding.
All the firefighters have to undergo 'diversity training'. The Archbishop of Glasgow has given his support to nine firefighters disciplined for refusing to hand out leaflets during a gay rights march.
They have been sent on "diversity training" courses after refusing to hand out community safety leaflets at the Pride Scotia event in June.
Archbishop Mario Conti said they "had legitimate concerns about being the subject of taunts and jokes".
He said in some cases their religious sensibilities would have been offended.
Archbishop Conti said: "We have followed this case with concern. "There was no question of these officers' competency or commitment being called into question, nor was there any suggestion that they were refusing to come to the assistance of people in danger.
'Lampooning the Church'
"They were asked, while in uniform, to hand out leaflets during a demonstration where they had legitimate concerns about being the subject of taunts and jokes, and in which in some cases, their religious sensibilities would have been grossly offended by people dressed as priests and nuns lampooning the Church."
The Fire Service said it had a responsibility towards everyone
One of the firefighters involved was demoted from a watch manager to crew manager with a £5,000 salary cut.
The remaining firefighters were given a written warning, and all would undergo diversity training, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue announced on Thursday.
Archbishop Conti said the training was "alarming".
"The duty to obey one's conscience is a higher duty than that of obeying orders," he said.
The nine firefighters are based at Cowcaddens and were asked to distribute community safety advice to people attending the Pride Scotia festival in George Square on 24 June.
A fire service spokesman earlier said the firefighters' refusal was a "fundamental breach of their core responsibilities".
"Firefighters cannot, and will not, pick and choose to whom they offer fire safety advice.
"Strathclyde Fire and Rescue has a responsibility to protect every one of the 2.3m people it serves, irrespective of race, religion or sexuality," they said.
All the firefighters have to undergo 'diversity training'. The Archbishop of Glasgow has given his support to nine firefighters disciplined for refusing to hand out leaflets during a gay rights march.
They have been sent on "diversity training" courses after refusing to hand out community safety leaflets at the Pride Scotia event in June.
Archbishop Mario Conti said they "had legitimate concerns about being the subject of taunts and jokes".
He said in some cases their religious sensibilities would have been offended.
Archbishop Conti said: "We have followed this case with concern. "There was no question of these officers' competency or commitment being called into question, nor was there any suggestion that they were refusing to come to the assistance of people in danger.
'Lampooning the Church'
"They were asked, while in uniform, to hand out leaflets during a demonstration where they had legitimate concerns about being the subject of taunts and jokes, and in which in some cases, their religious sensibilities would have been grossly offended by people dressed as priests and nuns lampooning the Church."
The Fire Service said it had a responsibility towards everyone
One of the firefighters involved was demoted from a watch manager to crew manager with a £5,000 salary cut.
The remaining firefighters were given a written warning, and all would undergo diversity training, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue announced on Thursday.
Archbishop Conti said the training was "alarming".
"The duty to obey one's conscience is a higher duty than that of obeying orders," he said.
The nine firefighters are based at Cowcaddens and were asked to distribute community safety advice to people attending the Pride Scotia festival in George Square on 24 June.
A fire service spokesman earlier said the firefighters' refusal was a "fundamental breach of their core responsibilities".
"Firefighters cannot, and will not, pick and choose to whom they offer fire safety advice.
"Strathclyde Fire and Rescue has a responsibility to protect every one of the 2.3m people it serves, irrespective of race, religion or sexuality," they said.
4 comments:
Catholics are increasingly being driven from the public sector and public life.
Catholic doctors and nurses find things difficult with abortion and contraception, social workers with adoption and now firemen, soon it will be the police, the civil service and teaching.
O that England had bishops like Conti.
This is the kind of thing I have experienced while working for Brighton and Hove City Council. This whole "equalities" idea runs through it from recruitment to 'equalities training'.
Of course everyone believes in 'equality'. Nobody should be discriminated as an individual because of orientation, disability, race etc. But why the need for posters to be everywhere about the next Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Forum Meeting. Frankly, it does become too much.
Our human dignity does not come from our sexual orientation or who we find attractive. Nor is this what binds us together as a society or makes us brothers and sisters.
The firemen who refused the Gay Pride parade hopefully do understand why we are all brothers and sisters - our dignity as children of God.
As a gay health worker, I wouldn't take part in Gay Pride. I'll help anyone but I don't agree with "Pride" politics. I object to people speaking on my behalf. I think it just shows how out of touch Strathclyde is. People like me in a minority will always have someone who'll decide they can speak for me.
It is like ethnic "community leaders" who invariably lead no one.
these fire firefighers were not forced to march in a parade, just asked to give out info as at any village fete.Stop getting their or your knickers in a twist;how would u feel if a fire brigade said can't put your fire out u r catholic.!!!!!
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