Cardinal George Pell, the archbishop of Sydney, has it tough. His superiors in the Vatican have made their condemnation of homosexuality unequivocal and he himself has supported this position publicly. His cousin, however, is an outspoken lesbian activist - and former nun, to boot. This year, she will be leading the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, protesting the church's treatment of gays.

iAfrica reports:

Monica Hingston earlier this year called on her cousin Cardinal George Pell, the archbishop of Sydney, to denounce the Vatican's strict opposition to same-sex couples. Hingston, a former nun, stepped up her campaign with the announcement that she would act as chief of parade for Saturday's Mardi Gras, a massive street party that attracts up to 500 000 people to Sydney's Oxford Street gay district.

I feel a little sorry for Cardinal Pell - he's not exactly in an easy situation. I support what his cousin, Monica, is doing, but I can't imagine that she seriously thinks he will break ranks with the Vatican and come out in support of her as well.

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• Roman Catholicism
• Catholicism & Homosexuality