People attend a "Pink Dot" event, in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Hong Kong on Sept. 20. (Photo by Dale De La Rey/AFP)
Cardinal John Tong Hon of Hong Kong has called on Catholic voters to reject same-sex marriages and support political candidates that uphold the core values of marriage and family in future elections.
In a statement released by the Hong Kong Diocese on Nov. 6, Cardinal Tong criticized modern social trends and liberal political movements advocating same-sex marriage "under the guise of equality and the fight against discrimination."
If taken further by enacting a proposed ordinance banning sexual orientation discrimination, such trends would turn the society upside down, he warned.
He urged the faithful to take into consideration the stance of each candidate and their political parties with regard to the core values of marriage and the family, and the proposed sexual orientation discrimination ordinance, in an upcoming district council election on Nov. 22 and elections in the future.
Cardinal Tong said a recent "workshop on lovemaking techniques" held by a students' organization at a local university clearly demonstrated "the virtual propagation of sexual liberalization under the umbrella of academic freedom."
The workshop reportedly included a demonstration by sex workers of the use of sex toys and erotic massage.
It is "a misguided culture" that has publicly and pompously intruded on people's lives and is directly affecting the next generation, the cardinal said.
It sees "the core values and key concepts of marriage and of the family continually being challenged and misinterpreted," he said.
The bishop's message comes ahead of a gay pride rally in the territory on Nov. 7 and a "Christian family" festival on Nov. 11.
It was the second time Cardinal Tong has spoken out against same-sex marriage in less than two months. He signed a pastoral letter opposing it on Sept. 21.
It is also believed to be the first time that a local bishop has urged the faithful to vote based on a particular agenda, when in the past bishops have only advised people to vote according to their conscience and church principles.