Re: U.S. Catholic bishops approve document on marriage
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Originally Posted by Spencer Collins
U.S. Catholic bishops approve document on marriage
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Aim is to oppose divorce, cohabitation, same-sex unions
I am glad they mentioned cohabitation. Somebody needed to.
The nation's Roman Catholic bishops approved a broad new document on marriage Tuesday, laying what its writers described as the foundation for the American church's efforts to promote the institution as the joining of one man and one woman.
"Thank goodness this is out there, clearly stated, with ample documentation and very reasonably put forward," said Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien of Baltimore, which is hosting the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops this week. "I think it's going to be a very positive document."
I agree it is good that it is clear.
While "Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan" does not represent new Catholic teaching, bishops said the pastoral letter would address a need for an authoritative source to which church leaders may refer as they campaign against divorce, unmarried couples living together and same-sex unions. The bishops, meeting through Thursday at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, are scheduled to hear details of that campaign on Wednesday.
It is good to have a reference.
"We have the need to defend marriage within our culture," said Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, a member of the committee that wrote the document. "This pastoral letter will also serve as a foundational document as we seek a direction and a strategy to defend marriage over these coming years."
A thinking group of Bishops. Imagine that.
Before the session, the bishops circulated statistics showing that American couples have grown less likely to marry and more likely to live together. Those who do marry tend to do so later in life, and the probability that they will divorce or separate is between 40 and 50 percent, according to a University of Virginia report.
I found this statement about the numbers interesting. We have been told that marrying later gives us a better chance at longevity in a marriage. But the evidence might suggest that is not a factor or even a negative one.
"People are entering into marriage probably without an adequate appreciation of the beauty of marriage and the gift that it is," O'Brien said. "The document is meant to strengthen Christian marriage, to prepare people who are going to be married before they enter that bond to appreciate what the commitment is, and also to open a discussion in our culture as to what the differences are today and to try to reach some common ground."
Lord knows we need some guidance in this era of reality tv. 
The letter defines marriage as "a natural institution established by God the Creator" and called it "a permanent, faithful, fruitful partnership between one man and one woman" that has two purposes: "the good of the spouses" and "the procreation and education of children."
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It says "Male-female complementarity is essential to marriage" and "attempts to make same-sex unions the equivalent of marriage disregard the nature of marriage.
In the eyes of the church, yes, this would be correct.
"Since marriage and same-sex unions are different realities, it is not unjust discrimination to oppose the legal recognition of same-sex unions," the letter says. "These unions pose a serious threat to the fabric of society that affects all people."
I understand their stance on this, although I disagree.
O'Brien said the letter "reflects pretty accurately what most of Western culture has believed for several millennia."
true
A coalition of liberal Catholic groups responded Tuesday with a call for an "inclusive pastoral."
I think one of Solomon's wives did that once. 
"There can be no doubt that, as the bishops' pastoral letter states, marriage is a blessing, both special and natural," the coalition, including Dignity USA, made up of gay Catholics, Catholics for Choice, which supports abortion rights, Whoa, Wilbur! "Catholics for Choice"? I never knew there was such an animal.  and the Women's Ordination Conference, said in a statement. "It is worthy of affirmation and support from both religious and secular institutions.
"At the same time, our church and society can fully celebrate this blessing only when all those who are called to marriage can indeed marry, when couples are able to exercise their conscience to make moral decisions about their lives, and when those who are remarried are still welcomed at the table.
I'm afraid this will be a big set back to the groups above. 
"As Catholics, we must adhere to those principles of love and justice that are core to our faith as central to any marriage. We must also lift up the freedom of conscience of every person in a loving relationship."
here-here! but not for abortionists or other criminals. 
O'Brien, who describes himself as a traditionalist, Ya think?  said "the conference does not shy away from issues.
"The whole culture, I think, is in a kind of confusion right now," he said. "We have to put our face forward, our foot forward and say, 'Here's what we've inherited as to what marriage is, what human life is, and what the context of human life is,' and be proud of it and be willing to be defend it."
I give him credit. He meets his adversary head on.
Also Tuesday, the bishops reaffirmed a moral obligation to maintain nutrition and hydration for patients in a persistent vegetative state Thank God. I watched someone given the "freedom" to starve to death. It ain't pretty. and approved a document on reproductive technology.
"Life-Giving Love in an Age of Technology" reaffirms Catholic teaching against in vitro fertilization,  egg, sperm and embryo donation, surrogates and cloning. For infertile couples, the church counsels hormonal treatment and other medications, surgery to repair reproductive organs, and other means.
I wholeheartedly agree with the above.
The bishops meet little more than a week after their successful lobbying effort to strengthen restrictions on abortion in the House version of healthcare overhaul. That effort led Rep. Lynn Woolsey, a California Democrat, to suggest that the IRS review the church's tax exemption.
Yeah well the Mormons lobbied against gays so I guess they would both lose tax exempt status? Back down, little lady, for you know not with whom you dealeth. If Catholic Bishops are smart enough to lobby, they are smart enough to lay some money down where it does the most good.
The bishops have long called for universal access to healthcare, but oppose abortion. O'Brien and others have said it is appropriate for Catholics to join the healthcare debate.Seeing as how they have cared for the sick when no one else could or would.
In a statement Tuesday, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, the president of the conference, said they "remain deeply concerned about the debate that now moves to the Senate, especially as it will affect the poor and vulnerable, and those at the beginning and end of life."Of course.
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I expect some controversy over this document but for the most part...it's what I would have expected.
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Yes it will be controversial. We will see some breaking away, but for the most part it will reaffirm the consistency that has always been there but not heard from in awhile.
I am so glad they mentioned cohabitation as it is usually bad for women and children in the long run IMHO.
This ruling could well tip the scale against same sex union and may be the death knell for same sex marriage. I doubt it would have made much difference, but I think Gays hurt their own cause by aligning themselves with abortion rights advocates.
I will have to say though I am quite happy with the mention of invetro.
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11-18-2009, 04:11 AM
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