The Austrian ÖVP (Austrian People's Party) leader Wilhelm Molterer announced on Monday evening in a televised discussion with young people "Wahl 08 - Ihre Frage", that after the elections there will be a gay marriage instituted in any case. Word for word Molterer said: "There can be no discrimination of homosexual couples." The same sex partnership will be. Molterer made it clear that he was the one that ended this "critical debate" within the ÖVP.

In the same television programme Molterer also attacked the church. To the question of the moderator Roman Rafreider "The church says: Homosexuality is an illness that should be healed" Molterer reacted: "Herr Rafreider, there you are in the 19th century. I am in the 21st." When the journalist rebuttled that he was merely reflecting what the church says, Molterer responded: "Is the church the standard to me?"

Roman Rafreider was visibly astonished by the words of the "Christian -democrat" and said: "That is what  I always thought." The ÖVP leader replied: "Perhaps falsely so. I have my own personal standards and I respect every individual decision of people, because they can account for it out of their own conscience and that is my standard. Do you really believe, that I would need Bishop Laun for that? No, I really don't!"

Bishop Laun reacted later that Molterer would indeed not need him, but that he could use some good arguments. He added that many people feel alienated from the Austrian People's Party now that subjects like gay marriage have become undebateable. Laun would wish that any politician would not be led by what the 21st century is perceived to require, but by serving the common good. 

Bishop Laun emphasized that the quality of arguments does not depend on the century or the religion they are from. Laun reminded the words of pope Benedikt XVI: "The readiness to listen to God, should be the basis for politics." and asked whether this is to much to ask of Austrian politicians, at least of those who call themselves Christians.

See the movieclip: http://www.kathtube.com/player.php?id=6260

Source: kath.net