THE MAYOR OF Kilkenny has signed a petition objecting to controversial pastor Angus Buchan giving a talk in Kilkenny next Wednesday.
The South African pastor, who styles himself as Uncle Angus, says gay men can be cured by prayer – with his help.
Buchan is due to speak at the Hub in Cillin Hill, Kilkenny City next Wednesday, but the local LGBT community has started an online petition objecting to his visit.
He was previously banned from using council property in Scotland for his talks, and Kilkenny’s 28-year-old mayor Patrick O’Neill has signed a petition opposing Buchan’s Irish visit.
“Ban is a strong word, but I think I’d rather the event not take place in Kilkenny,” O’Neill told TheJournal.ie this evening.
We have a good image in Kilkenny, it’s known for being inclusive and friendly, and anything that promotes the opposite image isn’t great.
“We could do without this kind of attention. I’m not anti-free speech, I’m not saying he should be stopped at all costs, because that could bring you down a certain route where it might be used for other events. If people believe this stuff, that’s their problem.
But those views are so outdated at this stage, I mean science has yet to prove that homosexuality is a disease for one thing.
“He’s maybe manipulating people a bit, and making a profit from it.
He’s obviously a clever guy, he’s made a living out of this.
Buchan’s talk is due to take place in the same centre that hosted the results of the gay marriage referendum, which holds a certain resonance for the local LGBT community.
“I’ve also many friends who are gay,” O’Neill added. “And I know how difficult it was for them growing up with other people’s narrow-minded views.”
I’m Christian myself, I go to Mass as much as I can. And we’ve been taught, growing up that God loves us all and everyone is equal.But the Church for a long time has tried to brainwash people, and those days are gone thankfully.
The Kilkenny LGBT community have vowed to mount a peaceful protest at the talk.
Mighty men
Buchan, for his part, has denied he is a homophobe, but says he has helped to ‘cure’ gay people through prayer.
“I’m not coming here to speak about gay people, I’m coming to speak about Jesus,” he said, in an interview broadcast by The Last Word on Today FM.
I love homosexuals, I love lesbians, but their lifestyle I cannot condone. It’s contrary to the word of God.
“The word of God is against two men sleeping in same bed, or two women sleeping in the same bed. I don’t have any problem with the people.
He added: “There are certain standards in the Bible that I cannot bend or turn or twist.
“I pray for many men, and many women too who are in this situation, this passion, whatever you want to call it.
They write to me, they visit me, we’ve spoken about it, we’ve prayed about it, and they’ve changed their hearts and their attitude towards it.
Buchan also hosts ‘mighty men’ conferences, where he teaches that women should submit to their husbands, and that men should physically discipline their children without their wives’ ‘interference’.
Green party councillor Malcolm Noonan and Patrick McKee of Renua have also voiced concerns about Buchan’s Irish visit, which has been arranged by the Christian group ‘Together for Ireland’.
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