Gay rights advocates want to meet with the head of the Catholic church in Australia to discuss why parishioners are being told to oppose same-sex marriage.
Gay lobbyists have written to the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, concerned about what they call a "destructive" church campaign against same-sex marriage.
Their concerns follow an open letter distributed by the church, instructing parishioners to lobby federal MPs against voting for gay marriage.
The letter followed a successful parliamentary motion, moved by the Australian Greens, urging MPs to discuss the issue in their communities.
Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Peter Furness says it's destructive for priests to advocate against same-sex marriage from the pulpit.
"It tears congregations apart and potentially harms young same-sex attracted Catholics," he said in a statement.
He accused the church of "encouraging prejudice and potentially ostracising same-sex Catholics and their families".
"The church is free to lobby against equality, but attempting to enlist ordinary Catholics in its campaign will backfire because many support marriage equality."
The group says Cardinal Pell has indicated that he will consider meeting with them.
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