Where Are Our Leaders?

What began as the concerns of a few ordinary Catholics has now become a national conversation.

This issue has been covered by Channel 7, 9 News, Sky News, The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Catholic media, radio stations, and countless online discussions. More than 6,700 Australians have signed this petition, and many more have taken the time to write to their elected representatives, pray publicly, and stand peacefully in defence of what they believe is sacred.

To every one of you... thank you.

Your voices have ensured that this issue could not simply be ignored.

Yet despite all of this, one question continues to weigh heavily on my heart:

Where are our leaders?

Where are the elected representatives who are entrusted to represent all Australians, including the thousands of Christians who have peacefully expressed genuine hurt?

Where are our shepherds, our bishops and priests, standing beside ordinary Catholics who feel that the most sacred parts of our faith have been publicly ridiculed?

Throughout this campaign, Divine Playhouse has received public support from the Lord Mayor of Sydney, the NSW Arts Minister, and members of the Greens. They are entitled to hold those views.

However, these leaders represent all Australians, not just one community.

We are not asking anyone to hate another community.

We are not asking for special treatment.

We are asking for equal respect.

For many Catholics, this was never about LGBTQ people. It was about seeing our sacred beliefs, the Eucharist, religious life, our symbols, and our traditions used in ways that many of us sincerely experience as mockery, while also receiving government support and taxpayer funding.

Whether others agree with us or not, surely thousands of peaceful Christians deserve to have their concerns acknowledged rather than dismissed.

Many Christians are increasingly concerned about what they see as a growing acceptance of anti-Christian prejudice what some describe as Christphobia. We are not asking for Christianity to be placed above any other faith. We are asking for the same dignity, the same respect, and the same consideration that every faith community should expect.

This petition has never been backed by a political party, a large organisation, or a major public figure.

It has been carried by ordinary mums and dads, families, parishioners, and Australians from every walk of life who simply believe that what is sacred deserves to be treated with respect.

But we cannot do this alone.

We need leadership.

Leadership that is willing to acknowledge that Christians deserve to be heard.

Leadership that is willing to represent every member of the community even those with whom they may disagree.

Leadership that is willing to stand beside ordinary believers when they feel their faith has been publicly ridiculed.

To everyone who has signed, shared, prayed, donated, or written to your representatives, thank you. Please continue to stand with us. Continue writing respectfully. Continue praying. Continue sharing this petition.

And to our political leaders and our Church leaders:

We are still waiting to hear your voice.