The Diverse LGBTI* Association will promote institutional motions to disapprove the Bishop of Tenerife, Bernardo Álvarez, before the homophobic statements made on Canarian Television, pointing out that homosexuality was a mortal sin and comparing it to alcoholism.
Diversas have addressed all the political groups represented in the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Cabildo de Tenerife and municipalities of the Island to request the presentation, debate and approval, if applicable, of a institutional motion of disapproval of the bishop “for his repeated homophobic behavior”.
The text of the submitted motion contains as agreements the disapproval of Bernardo Álvarez, the resounding condemnation for his homophobic statements, as well as the commitment not to invite the bishop to any institutional event that is held, as a sign of respect and consideration for the LGBTI* community, in addition to transferring the approved motion to the Bishopric and the Episcopal Conference.
The president of Diversas, Sergio Siverio, has indicated that they hope that this motion will be presented and approved progressively in the various institutions of the Archipelago and municipalities of the Island, “thus demonstrating with facts the political unanimity in the rejection of homophobic statements repeat offenders of the bishop”.
“The more than 50,000 signatures collected through the change.org platform demanding his immediate cessation must have the institutional support needed and have consequences for a bishop whom He has no other dignified way out than to resign or be terminated immediately,” Siverio said.
From Diversas they point out that they will not accept “another apology that does not go through their resignation or dismissal, before the damage done to the LGBTI community*, and the institutions cannot continue to remain silent in the face of the bishop’s recurrent homophobia”.
