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And Finally Artist News
Jesus would allow gay clergy to marry, says Elton John
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 30 June 2014
Elton John has said that Jesus would not approve of the Church Of England’s “old and stupid” ban on gay members of the clergy getting married.
Speaking to Sky News during Pride weekend, the singer said: “If Jesus Christ was alive today, I cannot see him, as the Christian person that he was and the great person that he was, saying this could not happen. He was all about love and compassion and forgiveness and trying to bring people together and that’s what the church should be about”.
The Church Of England, he said, could learn a lot from Catholic Church CEO Pope Francis: “The new Pope has been wonderful, he’s excited me so much. He’s stripped it down to the bare bones and said it’s all basically about love”.
John also discussed Russian leader Vladimir Putin, whose track record on gay rights has been particularly controversial in recent years, not least with the introduction of new laws banning the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality. The singer said he hoped to discuss this with Putin when he visits Russia to perform in Saint Petersburg in November.
“I will see Putin and talk to him”, he said. “I don’t know what good it will do though”.