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Anglican Church Donates $1 Million To Fight Against Marriage Equality In Australia

Archbishop Glenn Davies says same-sex marriage would have "irreparable consequences."

The Anglican church has donated $1 million Australian (or about $85,000 U.S.) to fight same-sex marriage in Australia.

The Sydney archdiocese's donation is the largest public contribution to the "No" campaign, which is urging Australians to vote against legalizing marriage equality in the national postal survey ending November 15.

Don Arnold/Getty Images

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 08: People display their support at a Marriage Equality rally in Taylor Square on October 8, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. Australians are currently taking part in the Marriage Law Postal Survey, which is asking whether the law should be changed to allow same-sex marriage. The outcome of the survey is expected to be announced on 15 November. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)

“Brothers and sisters, the stakes are high and the cost is high,” said Archbishop Glenn Davies. “Yet the cause is just and it is a consequence of our discipleship to uphold the gift of marriage as God has designed it—a creation ordinance for all people.”

Davies said he makes “no apology” for encouraging Anglicans to vote against equality.

SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images

Britain's Prince William (C-L) and his wife Catherine (C-R) and the Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies (L) and the Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen (R) arrive at St. Andrew's Cathedral for Easter Sunday service in Sydney on April 20, 2014. Britain's Prince William, his wife Kate and their son Prince George are on a three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia. AFP PHOTO/Saeed KHAN (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

“I believe that a change in the definition of marriage is unwarranted—not just because it is in opposition to the teaching of scripture, but because I believe marriage, traditionally understood as a union of one man and one woman, is a positive good for our society... The consequences of removing gender from the marriage construct will have irreparable consequences for our society, for our freedom of speech, our freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.”

In August, Perth Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy said that she is personally "open to a more inclusive position" when it comes to same-sex marriage, though she added that she will ultimately stand by the church's position.

In his speech, Davies criticized Anglicans like Goldsworthy who support the "Yes" campaign, saying they'd been "molded into the patterns of their surrounding culture." He's also accused marriage equality proponents in Australia of “bullying” their opponents.

The Anglican church was founded in 16th century England in part because King Henry VIII wanted to redefine marriage and legally divorce his wife.

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