Auusie Church backs PM call to scrap move toward gay union

ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said the legislation would offer gay couples who enter into civil unions the same rights as married heterosexual couples.

Canberra's Anglican Bishop George Browning and Assistant Bishop Trevor Edwards today backed Prime Minister John Howard's view that the legislation should be withdrawn from the ACT Assembly.

Bishop Browning and Bishop Edwards said it was right to remove discrimination against homosexuals, but the laws went a step too far.

"While the desire to remove discrimination and provide legal protection to same sex relationships is thoroughly commendable, we believe a registration system such as exists in Tasmania would guarantee that objective," the bishops said.

"We believe this proposal actually threatens and compromises the traditional Christian view of marriage between a man and a woman.

More of Church call to scrap gay union @ NEWS.com.au, Australia