Media reports in recent days have incorrectly stated that The University of Queensland funded a study into the sexuality of Jesus Christ.
The following is a statement of clarification:
Rollan McCleary, a PhD student who graduated from The University of Queensland on May 29, did not write his thesis on the subject of the sexuality of Jesus, but rather on the broad topic of gay spirituality in Western civilization.
The study explored male homosexuality and spirituality in the history of Western thought. The title of his thesis was `Authority, inspiration and heresy in gay spirituality`.
Dr McCleary did not explore the issue of Christ`s sexuality in any detail, but made a very brief reference to the subject by citing the views of two other authors.
Dr McCleary`s thesis was examined by two Moral Theologians based in theological institutes in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The reference in the media reports to the money for this study refers to the standard PhD University scholarship which is $18,000 per year which is granted to students as a living allowance.
Quite separately from Dr McCleary`s PhD thesis, he is due to publish a book which, according to media reports, appears to speculate on the sexuality of Jesus. The University of Queensland is in no way associated with the publication of this book.
An important role of universities is to foster and stimulate study and debate. In 2002, 377 UQ students, including 44 from the Faculty of Arts, were awarded doctorates on a wide range of research subjects.
Professor Alan Rix
Executive Dean
Faculty of Arts
.jpg)
