Hull vicar compares homosexuality to paedophilia
The vicar has criticised a cleric's decision to support an LGBT pride march by York Minster, pictured, asking if the same warm treatment would be extended to paedophiles and adulterers?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A vicar from Hull has sparked criticism after comparing homosexuality to paedophilia and adultery.
Reverend Melvin Tinker, vicar of St John in Newland in Hull, made the comments in a radio interview on Friday. In the interview he criticised a York Minster Canon’s decision to give a LGBT Pride march his blessing.
Tinker said: “Would he [the Canon] say serial adulterers should be welcome in the church? Should he say that people who are engaged in paedophilia should be involved in the church?”
When asked by the Minster FM interviewer if he was likening homosexuality to paedophilia, Tinker said: “We are talking about moral categories here, and if homosexual sex falls into the immoral category, then it is in the same category as any other immoral action."
The interviewer then said that unlike paedophilia, homosexuality is legal. To which Tinker replied: “At one time of course homosexual genital activity was illegal.”
In a statement, Hull and East Riding LGBT Christian Fellowship said that Tinker’s comments do not represent all Christians. They said: “Although we have a long way to go, that’s not actually the view of people in the pews, and dare I say it probably isn’t the view of the people that sit in his pews.”
In an interview today, Tinker defended his comments. He told the BBC that it was "out of place" for a clergyman to be blessing a gay pride parade.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments