Archives for 2012

Often when we explain why (regardless of any attempt to the contrary in civil law) there is no such thing as “gay marriage”, we are asked this question. The position suggests that we are not harmed by gay people getting married. Our marriages remain unchanged and no one is forcing us to change our religious viewpoint. Even people sympathetic to our faith feel that “separation of church and state” and general “fairness” dictate that such marriage should be permitted. To oppose it is nothing less than unjustly forcing our religious views on others.

There is so much wrong with that! A very poor understanding of separation of church and state for one. A complete lack of understanding of not only the religious purpose of marriage, but of the purpose of civil protections for it. That this is a very recent concept is ignored.

Putting all that aside for now, how indeed does “gay marriage” hurt others? That question is clearly addressed in a January 12th open letter from leaders of the largest US religious communities. It is signed by 39 representatives from Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical, Jewish, Lutheran, Mormon, Pentecostal and Evangelical communities. That number includes 4 US Catholic bishops: Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York and President of the USCCB; Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of Oakland, Chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage; Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, Chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty; and Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.

The full text of the letter (with my bold highlights):

Dear Friends:

The promotion and protection of marriage – the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife – is a matter of the common good and serves the wellbeing of the couple, of children, of civil society and all people. The meaning and value of marriage precedes and transcends any particular society, government, or religious community. It is a universal good and the foundational institution of all societies. It is bound up with the nature of the human person as male and female, and with the essential task of bearing and nurturing children.

As religious leaders across a wide variety of faith communities, we join together to affirm that marriage in its true definition must be protected for its own sake and for the good of society. We also recognize the grave consequences of altering this definition. One of these consequences – the interference with the religious freedom of those who continue to affirm the true definition of “marriage” – warrants special attention within our faith communities and throughout society as a whole. For this reason, we come together with one voice in this letter.

Some posit that the principal threat to religious freedom posed by same-sex “marriage” is the possibility of government’s forcing religious ministers to preside over such “weddings,” on pain of civil or criminal liability. While we cannot rule out this possibility entirely, we believe that the First Amendment creates a very high bar to such attempts.

Instead, we believe the most urgent peril is this:forcing or pressuring both individuals and religious organizations – throughout their operations, well beyond religious ceremonies – to treat same-sex sexual conduct as the moral equivalent of marital sexual conduct. There is no doubt that the many people and groups whose moral and religious convictions forbid same-sex sexual conduct will resist the compulsion of the law, and church-state conflicts will result.

These conflicts bear serious consequences. They will arise in a broad range of legal contexts, because altering the civil definition of “marriage” does not change one law, but hundreds, even thousands, at once. By a single stroke, every law where rights depend on marital status – such as employment discrimination, employment benefits, adoption, education, healthcare, elder care, housing, property, and taxation – will change so that same-sex sexual relationships must be treated as if they were marriage. That requirement, in turn, will apply to religious people and groups in the ordinary course of their many private or public occupations and ministries – including running schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other housing facilities, providing adoption and counseling services, and many others.

So, for example, religious adoption services that place children exclusively with married couples would be required by law to place children with persons of the same sex who are civilly “married.” Religious marriage counselors would be denied their professional accreditation for refusing to provide counseling in support of same-sex “married” relationships. Religious employers who provide special health benefits to married employees would be required by law to extend those benefits to same-sex “spouses.” Religious employers would also face lawsuits for taking any adverse employment action – no matter how modest – against an employee for the public act of obtaining a civil “marriage” with a member of the same sex. This is not idle speculation, as these sorts of situations have already come to pass.

Even where religious people and groups succeed in avoiding civil liability in cases like these, they would face other government sanctions – the targeted withdrawal of government co-operation, grants, or other benefits.

For example, in New Jersey, the state cancelled the tax-exempt status of a Methodist-run boardwalk pavilion used for religious services because the religious organization would not host a same-sex “wedding” there. San Francisco dropped its $3.5 million in social service contracts with the Salvation Army because it refused to recognize same-sex “domestic partnerships” in its employee benefits policies. Similarly, Portland, Maine, required Catholic Charities to extend spousal employee benefits to same-sex “domestic partners” as a condition of receiving city housing and community development funds.

In short, the refusal of these religious organizations to treat a same-sex sexual relationship as if it were a marriage marked them and their members as bigots, subjecting them to the full arsenal of government punishments and pressures reserved for racists. These punishments will only grow more frequent and more severe if civil “marriage” is redefined in additional jurisdictions. For then, government will compel special recognition of relationships that we the undersigned religious leaders and the communities of faith that we represent cannot, in conscience, affirm. Because law and government not only coerce and incentivize but also teach, these sanctions would lend greater moral legitimacy to private efforts to punish those who defend marriage.

Therefore, we encourage all people of good will to protect marriage as the union between one man and one woman, and to consider carefully the far-reaching consequences for the religious freedom of all Americans if marriage is redefined. We especially urge those entrusted with the public good to support laws that uphold the time-honored definition of marriage, and so avoid threatening the religious freedom of countless institutions and citizens in this country. Marriage and religious freedom are both deeply woven into the fabric of this nation.

May we all work together to strengthen and preserve the unique meaning of marriage and the precious gift of religious freedom.

I am not optimistic that this letter will have much impact on our politicians. Not even the “gay marriage” supporting Catholic politicians. They place their agenda and base of support above all else. Hopefully, it will change the hearts and minds of voters.

The letter and all signatories are here on the USCCB website, along with their press release.

We are blessed to have some truly outstanding bishops. Excellent shepherds who are not afraid to speak-out on issues of faith, knowing they will be vigorously attacked by secular interests (and “progressive” Catholics too). I gave some examples back in November 2010.

Likewise, we also have some exceptional priests. One such man is Father Michael Rodriguez of the Diocese of El Paso. John Quinn recently made a list of Fr. Rodriguez’ quotes about homosexual acts on his excellent Courageous Priest blog:

1. I urge all of the Catholic faithful to treat homosexuals with love, understanding, and respect. At the same time, never forget that genuine love demands that we seek, above all, the salvation of souls. Homosexual acts lead to the damnation of souls. Any Catholic Who Supports Homosexual Acts
2. Furthermore, a Catholic would be guilty of a most grievous sin of omission if he/she neglected to actively oppose the homosexual agenda, which thrives on deception and conceals its wicked horns under the guises of “equal rights,” “tolerance,” “who am I to judge”,” etc. Any Catholic Who Supports Homosexual Acts
3. Remember: Every single Catholic, out of fidelity to charity and truth, has the absolute duty to oppose (1) the murder of unborn babies, and (2) any and all government attempts to legalize homosexual unions. Any Catholic Who Supports Homosexual Acts
4. I was ordained to the Catholic priesthood to offer sacrifice and teach the only truth which brings salvation and happiness…   The priesthood is my greatest joy. In the present circumstances, I intend to try even harder to be a good, holy priest. Obedience to my bishop is essential to the priesthood. Bishop Publicly Disciplines Fr. Rodriguez
5. Today, throughout 21st century America, elementary school children are being indoctrinated by homosexual activists that there are “different kinds of families.” Jesus Christ preached against the man who looks upon a woman and lusts after her. (Mt 5:28). Today, 21st century man, a slave to the fires of his passion and lust, cries “equal rights” in order to justify the abomination of male-male or female-female “unions.” The stench of moral decadence surrounds us, and yet we insist on spreading the lie that we of the 21st century are “enlightened and progressive” because we’ve “moved beyond the prejudices of the past. The Truth About Homosexuality, Part IV
6. A truly pastoral approach will appreciate the need for homosexual persons to avoid the near occasions of sin. We wish to make it clear that departure from the Church’s teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral. The Truth About Homosexuality, Part IV
7. Above all, we are to show love and compassion towards homosexuals by leading them to the truth, and helping them to reject sinful homosexual activity. Remember, it’s about saving souls! We must be firm, yet humble, patient, and caring. Love and compassion means assisting the homosexual person to live chastely, form wholesome friendships, and grow in the virtues: peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, and modesty. (Gal 5:22) Happiness and self-fulfillment can never be gained through sinful relationships and disordered sexual activity. The Truth About Homosexuality
8. Under no circumstances can sinful homosexual acts ever be approved. Woe to the Christian who denies the reality of sin! It is never loving and respectful to lie to homosexuals by telling them that homosexual behavior is o.k. or “normal.” Don’t be fooled by the well-orchestrated campaigns of misinformation and deceit by pro-homosexual groups which have infested the media. Instead, trust in God and His commandments! Trust in the teachings of His Church! Homosexual acts were, are, and always will be an abomination before God and man. This is an infallible moral teaching of the Catholic Church to which every Catholic must give assent. The Truth About Homosexuality, Part II

The embedded links go to the full Courageous Priest posts. View them for the complete context. The quotes were posted in Father Rodriguez’s 2011 Top Eight Quotes

Note that Fr. Rodriguez’ efforts were strongly supported by the faithful in his parish, but political and other forces were arrayed against him. Unfortunately, he did not enjoy the support of his liberal bishop. His Excellency Armando X. Ochoa reassigned Father to a small parish in a far corner of the diocese.

Fr. Rodriguez has introduce the EF (Latin) Mass in his new, smaller parish and continues to teach the authentic Catholic faith. Bishop Ochoa is no longer in the El Paso diocese.