FATHER Peter MacLeod-Miller's use of a photo from Sophie Mirabella’s wedding day to promote his push for marriage equality "crossed the line", according to husband Greg.
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Mr Mirabella said on Tuesday the St Matthew’s Anglican Church leader had elevated political point-scoring on the issue and denigrated his wedding day.
Mr and Mrs Mirabella were married in the Wangaratta Anglican Cathedral in 2006.
A photo taken after the ceremony with prime minister Tony Abbott and former speaker Bronwyn Bishop showing the former member for Indi laughing is the centrepiece of a poster Father MacLeod-Miller hopes will garner more support for marriage equality.
Mrs Mirabella is a long-time opponent of marriage equality, but has maintained any vote on the issue in the parliament should be a conscience vote.
Former Liberal parliamentary colleague Sussan Ley has resisted publicly supporting gay marriage.
Mr Mirabella said Father MacLeod-Miller's use of a photo from his wedding day was taking the issue too far.
"I think a line has been crossed," he said.
"Demeaning one person's wedding day to advance the cause of somebody else's is a bridge too far.
"Sophie is fairly accustomed to personal attacks by political opponents, but would this man have used this photograph if it did not include Bronwyn Bishop or Tony Abbott?
"That makes it a case of political opportunism, as much as a personal attack.
"This is extraordinary from a priest.
“Judging by the phone calls I've had today, I think the community view might be the same."
Mrs Mirabella declined to comment on the priest's campaign which is headed for Canberra.
But her husband said his wife's views were well known.
The current member for Indi Cathy McGowan's supports marriage equality.
Father MacLeod-Miller defended his decision to use the Mirabella wedding snap to highlight the issue because it was already in the public domain.
"She is in a position of leadership and can do something about it," he said.
"The question is will she do something about it or won't she?
"It's the whole point and it is why I am not taking a helicopter to Canberra and am going on a plane I am paying for myself."
