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Catholic and Islamic leaders have written to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews warning that his “Conversion Practices” Bill targets people of faith “in an unprecedented way”.
“We write on behalf of the Muslim and Catholic communities in Victoria in solidarity with other people of faith, expressing profound concern over the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020,” the letter begins.
“Every day we are working alongside our fellow Victorians to celebrate our diversity, care for the vulnerable and serve one another. We value our freedom to do so responsibly, by supporting and caring for people in their searching and questioning, with honesty, attentiveness, and compassion.
“Unfortunately, this Bill doesn’t just ban out-dated and insidious practices of coercion and harm, which we firmly reject. The bill also criminalises conversation between children and parents, interferes with sound professional advice, and silences ministers of religion from providing personal attention for individuals freely seeking pastoral care for complex personal situations. It includes ill-conceived concepts of faith and conversation, vague definitions, and scientifically and medically flawed approaches. It places arbitrary limitations on parents, families and people of faith. People change for all kinds of reasons, and should feel free to do so, whether it be on matters of personal identity, gender, sexuality, family association, or religion. Contrary to its intent, this Bill obstructs people’s freedom by limiting, restricting and removing options for their good, thereby creating undesirable possibilities of harm.”
The open letter is signed by Mr Mohamed Mohideen, President of the Islamic Council of Victoria, Catholic Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, and other Catholic leaders.
“At present the Bill appears to target people of faith in an unprecedented way, puts limits on ordinary conversations in families, and legislates for what prayer is legal and what prayer is not.”
The letter ends with an urgent request for a pause on the bill.
Send a quick message to your MP urging them to reject the extreme "Conversion Practices" Bill.