Rockford’s Bishop Malloy issues statement on same-sex marriage
Online Staff Report
Bishop David J. Malloy, head of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford, sent a statement Jan. 3 to all pastors on the current proposal before the Illinois legislature to redefine marriage by legalizing marriage for same-sex couples.
Bishop Malloy has asked all pastors to read the statement at Masses held in churches in the 11-county diocese this weekend, Jan. 5-6, and, if possible, to include the statement in church bulletins.
The statement, issued in English and Spanish, states that at issue in the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act “is not a political or a policy question, but a fundamental statement about society itself.”
In his statement, Bishop Malloy reminds Catholics that “Our Catholic faith teaches us to love our brothers and sisters; all of them. We respect the human dignity of every person as created in the image and likeness of God. But we must, at the same time, respect and support the protection of the fundamental human relationship that confirms the complementary nature that we bear. That is, marriage as an exclusive commitment between a man and a woman.”
Bishop Malloy concludes his letter by urging Catholics to contact their legislators in opposition of this legislation.
Following is the text of Bishop Malloy’s letter:
January 5-6, 2013
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
I am taking the exceptional step of addressing you at all of the parish Masses this weekend. I do so because there is a danger before us that is exceptional. According to press reports, the Illinois State Legislature is taking up a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in our state under the misleading title, The Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. At issue here is not a political or a policy question, but a fundamental statement about society itself. We need to be alerted to this danger.
Our Catholic faith is rooted in the words of Christ and the Sacred Scriptures. It reminds us that marriage itself is a life-long covenant that can take place only between a man and a woman. This is because it provides the context for the physical and personal complementarity that we all recognize between male and female. In addition, it is the natural basis for the conception and raising of children who have a right to recognize their parents whose unity is their source and origin. Same-sex unions will not and cannot accomplish that. Traditional marriage concepts are not restricted to Catholicism or even to religious faith. They have been understood and embraced throughout history as the basis of human interaction.
The current effort to redefine marriage in the State of Illinois, whether it is intended to do so or not,undermines marriage as a fundamental element of society. It cannot be simply understood as a different way of looking at things that is part of the normal societal diversity to which we have become accustomed.
The redefinition of marriage would have other profound consequences as well. For example, the equation of same-sex marriage to traditional marriage opens the door to the imposition on consciences concerning our ability to teach and to live fully our Catholic faith. If such a bill is passed, individuals and our own religious institutions will face pressures to treat both same-sex marriage and traditional marriage as equally legitimate options, in violation of our deeply held beliefs and convictions. In short, this will be another step toward the curtailment of religious freedom.
Defense of the nature of marriage is not some form of long standing discrimination or bigotry. Our Catholic faith teaches us to love our brother and sisters; all of them. We respect the human dignity of every personas created in the image and likeness of God. But we must, at the same time, respect and support the protection of the fundamental human relationship that confirms the complementary nature that we bear. That is, marriage as an exclusive commitment between a man and a woman.
I urge you to visit the Illinois Catholic Conference website at www.ilcatholic.org to learn how to contact your state legislators and let them know of your opposition to this proposed legislation.
With gratitude to you and the promise of my prayers, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend David J. Malloy
Bishop of Rockford
Posted Jan. 3, 2013
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5 Comments
I think the reverend needs to grow up. What part of the Bible is it that has Jesus commanding people to be total douchebags to their neighbors? The part I read has Jesus commanding us to love our neighbors.
Reminds me of an old joke. A parishioner from Rockford confessed to his priest that he had had a homosexual affair. The priest ordered him to put $100 in the poorbox and say 500 Hail Mary’s. Later, the parishioner moved to California, and the same thing happened again. He confessed to his priest there, and was told to put $5 in the poorbox and say five Hail Mary’s. The guy was shocked, and told about his experience in Rockford. The priest said, “What do they know about love in Rockford.”
I’m still wondering as to what is the ‘Danger’ that this Bishop is trying to alert his flock of.
I’m guessing men and women will still get married.
And they will unfortunately still get divorced.
I belive over 45% (Think its closer to 51%, but giving you the benefit of the doubt) of Marriages end up in divorce, which means the children that you say need to be raised by a mother and a father won’t have that. Especially for children born out of wedlock.
“the natural basis for the conception and raising of children who have a right to recognize their parents whose unity is their source and origin. Same-sex unions will not and cannot accomplish that”
Actually, same-sex unions can actually compliment man-woman unions.
But they can adopt children who are either not wanted, or do not have parents. And they can raise those children to be true Catholics who not only love all people but practice that belief in its entirety.
We can get down to the nitty gritty of WHY the Catholic Church is against same sex unions if you wish, but it will just point out another flaw in the Churches reasoning:
Lets break it down –
Two guys who are good friends and live together = ok by the Church.
Two guys who are good friends and live together who also have sex with each other = not allowed by the Church.
Two guys who are good friends and live together and GAY, but do NOT have sex = ________? Where does the Church stand on this?
This kinds of suggests that the Church is against Gays due to particular sex acts. So then where does the Church stand when Male-Female couples perform the same sex acts?
And where does the Church stand on Sex for non-reproductive uses?
I also can’t help but notice Malloy’s request sounds more like demanding instructions: “let them know of your opposition to this proposed legislation.”
Well, sure, but only if you REALLY oppose it. Don’t just oppose it because Mallory says to. Read up on it, and learn how it will affect you personally, if at all, before you demand that it not pass.
This bill does not ‘curtail religious freedom’; Men and Women will still be able to get Married either in a Church in a 24 hour chapel in Vegas. Then they can turn around and get divorced 24 hours later if they want to. But I guess none of that mars the Sanctity of Marriage in the eyes of God? Why is the Church not concerned about belittling the Sacredness of Marriage via these flavor of the month Marriages?
Long story short, the act of Two guys or two girls marrying is not going to void your Marriage license. Let them have a piece of paper. It makes no intrusion on your personal life, weather you are Married or not.
What a great Bishop. He cares more for the souls of people than bowing to the sodomites.
Two men having sex is about the most disgusting and unnatural thing possible. It destroy their minds, body, and souls…..all that is left is hell.
Maggie,
How about lesbian sex? Is that equally disgusting to you? If not, would you permit woman same sex marriges?
You say it’s “unnatural” for male on male sex, yet just about every (maybe all) sexually active species engage in homosexual intercourse of some type. So if most speices do it…it by definition is a natural act.