The Catholic Church, along with the National Council of Churches in Singapore said it is "deeply concerned" that the Government is sending "confusing and conflicting signals" with the partial lifting of the ban on online gambling.

It appealed for the Government to review the move.

Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club will be allowed to offer online services from next month.

In a pastoral letter to Catholics in Singapore, Archbishop William Goh wrote that the Church remains concerned about the possible ill-effects of a "gambling culture that could grip Singaporeans".

He added that the Church has appealed to the authorities to closely monitor the effectiveness of the various safeguards put in place.

For instance, only those aged 21 and above are able to open player accounts have to be implemented.

Punters are not allowed to gamble on credit.

They also must set daily funding and gambling limits.

"The Catholic Church appreciates that the Government has done its due diligence to ensure that stringent measures are put in place to minimise the ill-effects of online gambling," Archbishop Goh wrote.

"We also recognise that the authorities have taken pains to consult, clarify and assure us that this move to allow restricted access to online gambling operators and their services is one that has been taken only after careful study of the environment and in consideration of the greater good of society.

"Given that there is no way to totally eradicate illegal gambling online - and the risks such a move could have on the moral integrity and fabric of our society - we also recognise the Government's dilemma in tackling this highly sensitive and controversial issue that continues to plague modern society."

Goh said the Catholic Church has asked for more regular consultation and updates on the consequences of the Remote Gambling Act.

Source

• ChannelNews Asia
• Image: AsiaNews

Bishop Dunn's comments, made to the New Zealand Herald, came ahead of performances by Madonna in Auckland.

"There is no question in my mind that some of Madonna's material is highly offensive to Christianity and will be found just as offensive to the majority of people of religious faith, as well as many cultural sensitivities," Bishop Dunn said.

For her Auckland concert, Madonna's stage will be at huge crucifix that will span the arena, with a heart-shaped "Rebel Heart" logo at the end.

The performances are said to feature a "holy water" segment which would feature dancers dressed as bikini-clad nuns performing on cross-shaped stripper poles.

This segment of her show was dropped from a recent concert in Singapore, after authorities deemed that it breached local guidelines.

Singapore's Archbishop William Goh said Catholics had a "moral obligation" not to support those who "denigrate and insult religions".

Bishop Dunn said he concurred with the comments made by his Singapore counterpart, but stopped short of asking his flock not to see Madonna.

He said the archbishop made a valid observation, especially in times of heightened religious sensitivities, that people could not afford to be overly permissive in favour of artistic expression at the expense of respect for one's religion.

"Here in New Zealand religion is not always taken very seriously, yet in addition to Christianity there are people of many other faiths, all together representing over half our population," he said.

"In a multi-cultural and multi-faith society like New Zealand, it is imperative that entertainers not presume their own cultural perspective is that of the majority. Often it is not."

In an interview with Radio Live, Bishop Dunn said there seemed to be greater licence to be offensive to Christians than to other faiths or ethnic groups.

"I'd bet every penny I've got that Madonna dare wouldn't use lyrics as offensive to Islam as she feels free to use with regard to Christianity. That's just a fact, that people would respond with outrage," Bishop Dunn said.

The bishop said he didn't want anything that denigrated Muslims or Maori or any value that people hold dear.

But he confirmed to an interviewer that he was effectively saying that Muslims and Maori seem to be better protected from insult and offense than Christians.

Bishop Dunn said he was calling for good manners and respect.

Sources

• New Zealand Herald
• Radio Live
• Catholic News Agency
• Channel News Asia
• Image: New Zealand Herald

In a statement released on February 20, Archbishop William Goh reminded Catholics of their "moral obligation not to support those who denigrate and insult religions . . .".

Archbishop Goh added that "'pseudo arts that promote sensuality, rebellion, disrespect, pornography, contamination of the mind of the young, abusive freedom, individualism at the expense of the common good, vulgarity, lies and half-truths", should not be supported.

"In multi-racial, multi-religious Singapore," he said, "we cannot afford to be overly permissive in favour of artistic expression at the expense of one's religion."

Madonna's music and performances were described as blasphemous and disrespectful because of her use of Catholic and Christian symbols.

There is no neutrality in faith, Archbishop Goh said.

"Being present at these events is itself a counter-witness."

The archbishop added: "Obedience to God and his commandments must come before the arts."

According to the statement, Singapore authorities have assured Archbishop Goh restrictions have been put in place to ensure that religiously-offensive content that breaches local guidelines will not be allowed on stage.

Madonna, who is touring Asia on her Rebel Heart tour, will perform at the National Stadium in Singapore on Sunday, February 28.

Last month, the Media Development Authority (MDA) in Singapore said that the concert had been given an R18 rating as it contains sexually suggestive content.

The authority stated that religiously-sensitive content, like the song "Holy Water", would not be performed.

A bishop in the Philippines called for Catholics to boycott Madonna concerts there earlier this week.

Madonna was raised as a Catholic in the United States, but later in life converted to a type of Judaism.

Sources

• Asia One
• Reuters
• Hollowverse
• Image: South China Morning Post