The following comes from a May 1 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops blog post written by Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago Joseph N. Perry:
Leaders of diverse religious communities released an open letter on April 23 to reaffirm their common belief in marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and their common commitment to religious freedom in this country. These two issues—marriage and religious freedom—have become inextricably linked, as civil authorities and powerful lobby groups have demanded, ever more frequently and stridently, that people of faith deny or act against their convictions about the truth of marriage.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops submitted an amicus curiae brief with the Court in support of natural marriage, making the case for the constitutionality of states’ defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. As the brief made clear, this definition is rooted in right reason, serves the common good, including the good of children, and in no manner reflects “animus” or hatred. Many other religious groups let their beliefs be known to the Court as well, including some of the faith communities represented in the open letter. The implications and effects of the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage, whatever it may be, will be extensive.
In the open letter, entitled The Defense of Marriage and the Right of Religious Freedom: Reaffirming a Shared Witness, the signers reaffirm that marriage, as it has been understood for centuries, is a matter of justice for children, who deserve to know and be loved by those who gave them life, whenever possible. Only a man and a woman can become one in a way that may bring about a child related to them both. This is an undeniable biological and social reality. This is what makes the marital relationship uniquely valuable to society, and so uniquely worthy special legal support.
In this light, it should be apparent that not lifting up other relationships, those which do not have this capacity, is not in any way denigrating to those relationships. To specially support one and not the other simply recognizes the unique reality of marriage. The work of marriage is building a life as husband and wife together, bringing children into this world together, and raising those children together. These are activities that warrant a special place and protection in our law and culture.
Civil protections that purport to protect persons, should not be stretched to protect conduct or behavior that many people of good will, religious and nonreligious alike, may object to on moral grounds. In this way, religious and moral convictions are being mislabeled and disrespected as “discrimination,” further corroding civil discourse in this debate.
Please read the open letter and consider it a pledge to the people of this country that no matter what happens in the next few months and years to come, religious leaders will continue to uphold the truth of marriage—the union of one man and one woman—just as it is found both in God’s plan and in our very nature.
I want to believe they will stay strong when the persecutions become more widespread. Tax exempt status, gone. Prosecution for hate speech, done. Jailed for refusing to pay fines, check. Reputations destroyed, check check.
Homofascism is a nasty thing, probably to be conquered only with prayer and fasting. OK, so get to it folks.
Yes.
Women worry. SHEPHERDS LEAD!
Bishop Joseph N. Perry: “We all should be **concerned** with the intimidation tactics being used against religious believers by well-funded lobby groups and their corporate allies”. = ” CONCERNED?” There has got to be a better word than “concern” for LEADERS! It is a little late in the game/hour to use the word “concern”. Where WAS the “concern” for the election victory votes that were garnered from all of the smiling photo ops at the Al Smith dinner? Where was our bishops collective “concern” for the clergy members in their individual diocese who even publicly contributed financially to help a modern day Nebuchadnezzar get elected? Where was the “concern” when it came to watching our own shepherds make compromises (St. Patrick’s Day Parade) that have helped in facilitating our nation’s own demise? Those pastorally friendly Catholic votes surely helped to place another King Nebuchadnezzar in power to quash our religious liberties. Our modern day Nebuchadnezzar also wants our nation to bow down to the new false idol known as same sex marriage in order to assimilate this crushing evil into our culture. It is WAY PAST the time for “concern”. The concern now should be for their own souls for not STAUNCHLY GUARDING and DEFENDING the Deposit of Faith. Our Lady of Fatima pray for us and help our bishops to be holy and courageous!
Definition of “Concern” worry (someone); make anxious.
“the roof of the barn concerns me because eventually it will fall in”
Catherine, it’s not about worry, it’s about being aware and prayerful.
As Padre Pio said, “Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry” :)
This is a good article. Glad that we are speaking up.
LEADERSHIP!
Synonyms for the word LEADERSHIP = Authority, Direction, Foresight, Command, Supremacy, Directorship, Capacity
An example of LEADERSHIP!
JONATHAN CAHN ON CAPITAL HILL: FOLLOW BAAL AND GO TO HELL!
https://youtu.be/stPCMvM3R_M
A link to the letter is here.:
https://www.usccb.org/news/2015/15-065.cfm
We’ll see how supposedly “catholic” these judges will respond. If they don’t live up to the catholic faith, they have no reasons declaring themselves catholic and they should disavow themselves from the church and then join some other social club since they’ll have exposed themselves as hypocrites.
Writing these letters will never do! No one takes the U.S.C.C.B. seriously!! They are NOT good, practicing, “role model” Catholics!! Everyone in the world, can see that! Look at what “great” leaders they all are! Look at their “post-Vatican II Church-gone-wrong!” Best way to get to the heart of the problem? Mobilize the worldwide Catholic Church, in a daily Spiritual Warfare, against sin!! Just as in pre-Vatican II days! Get out the Code of Canon Law, and USE it, daily! EXCOMMUNICATE “bad” Catholics!! Then, everyone will respect Christ’s Church, and RESPECT GOD— and lawmen will begin to pass good laws– against sin!!
This link is to the USCCB ‘Amicus’ (Non Party) Brief to the Supreme Court on Marriage:
https://www.supremecourt.gov/ObergefellHodges/AmicusBriefs/14-556_United_States_Conference_of_Catholic_Bishops.pdf
In the Supreme Court of the United States
JAMES OBERGEFELL, et al., Petitioners, v.
RICHARD HODGES, et al., Respondents.
BRIEF AMICUS CURIAE OF UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENTS AND SUPPORTING AFFIRMANCE: – SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT:
The fact that the USCCB is worried about “well-funded lobby groups” is, at best, laughable and amazingly hubristic.
This is a real knee-slapper, Catholic People. Come on, wake up!!
Homosexuals and sexual perverts of all kinds have never been safer or more adored in the Vatican than now. Just take a look at three things:
1. Bp. Perry’s boss, Abp. Cupich, is fast becoming “The” religious stooge of the Democratic Party. He gives out communion to blatant pro-abort, pro-sodomite politicians, like Democratic Senator Durbin (and he likely still directs his minion priests not to dare pray in front of any abortion palaces).
2. Cardinal Vincent Nichols (Westminster, UK), is going to say the infamous “Soho Mass” in front of a largely LGBT crowd at Immaculate Conception Parish in London. He has consistently “affirmed” this mass, and has also consistently rebuked priests and lay people that criticize homosexuals and homosexual relationships. Does anyone think that any of the LGBT people that will be in attendance have decided to become chaste, in observance of Catholic doctrine.
3. The German Catholic Church, headed by burly Cardinal Marx, have just put the finishing touches on two things: (1) their “working documents” for the Synod, which continue support of the Cardinal Kasper, and other, perversions regarding sexual ethics; and (2) changing the rules about permitting their employees to enter into homosexual relationships.without fear of being terminated.
Where is the Vatican in all of this? Clearly the German Church — you know, the guys that rarely go to confession — is already in schism with Rome. We would be so much better off with the SSPX than with these clowns (oops, this shows offense to clowns, where none was meant, except when they say Mass).
All married couples need to start living the “truth about marriage”. Heterosexual couples were the first to “redefined” marriage by bringing contraception and sterilization into the marriage bed.
5 Truths You’re Not Allowed To Say About Gays In America by John Hawkins
https://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2014/06/10/5-truths-youre-not-allowed-to-say-about-gays-in-america-n1849612
It’s hard to have an honest conversation about gay issues because liberals treat anything other than outright celebration of all things gay as “hate.” That doesn’t leave people much room to discuss a complicated issue that involves real human beings…
– Sure, you don’t want to unnecessarily create pain in people’s lives, but ultimately, nothing creates more misery than abandoning common sense because the obvious truth might hurt someone’s feelings.
1) You can’t change your gender: Have you ever heard of Body Integrity Identity Disorder? Long story short, there are people out there who believe they’re “supposed to” have less limbs.
Maybe they want to get rid of an arm or a leg. The “problem” these people run into is that surgeons consider it unethical to remove a healthy, functioning body part and refuse to saw off their limbs. Instead, they just refer these people to a psychologist. That seems to make sense, doesn’t it?
Yet, when we have people who want to mutilate themselves to “change their sex,” we don’t treat that as a mental disorder. Instead, we take it seriously. So seriously in fact, we have 9 year olds getting hormone treatments so they can pretend to be another gender…
2) Some people do choose to be gay: If you want to see an actual example of that, here’s an excerpt of an interview I did with lesbian talk show host, Tammy Bruce.
One of the reasons that the gay-rights movement became so strong in this country, sadly– is the wrongful acceptance of sexual sins– particularly, PRE-MARITAL SEX and COHABITATION, among normal (heterosexual) young people, in the 1960’s!!! All sexual sins– are Mortal Sins!! Mortal Sin destroys the life of Christ, and all graces, in a Christian! It destroys your relationship with God! You must always lead a good life, NEVER have the interest, nor the desire– to be disobedient to Christ, betray His Love for you– and commit a Mortal Sin! If you do– then, run to the priest immediately, and ask for the Sacrament of Confession! It is a SACRILEGE to receive Holy Communion, in a state of Moral Sin– without first going to Confession! Every Sunday, Catholics must hear sermons at Mass, and be invited to join religious devotions– to identify, understand, and fight sin! Confession should be a “Number One” Sacrament! Then, we will see a Church and a Nation, that truly understands what sin is, how HORRIBLE it is– and to fight it, at all costs! And gay pervert sex acts, will again be AGAINST THE LAW!!
It has made me just sick, for many long years, since Vatican II– that the Church totally abandoned religious instruction, which once was quite thorough and strict, from childhood! Very few Catholics of today, including clergy– are fully trained in their Faith and Morals, and know how to truly be a good, practicing Catholic! Since the 1960’s, many in the clergy have preached foolish concepts of Divine Love, inaccurately describing it as a sort of irresponsible “party-animal-style” “Hippie Love,” as related only to self-centered human needs and whims, and with no concept of the responsibility of the Christian, to lead a good life! This is totally ABSURD!! A true follower of Christ, daily studies, prays for, and seeks graces of God, to be VIRTUOUS, and Christ-like– in all aspects of their life, reflecting the selfless goodness, truth, holiness, and love of God! The true Christian avoids occasions of sin, and happily shuns people and situations, that are wrongful, and destructive to one’s spiritual life with Christ! “If you love Me, keep My Commandments!”
Your words are powerful, “Linda Maria”.
None of this is about personal freedom, but slavery.
“… which once was quite thorough and strict, from childhood!”
A profound, yet completely logical observation of the concept of beginning how one plans to continue, considering the question on other threads is whether or not “Mothers” matter. Convince women that motherhood doesn’t matter and then she will fight to leave her children elsewhere to prove her worth. Society will berate the patriarchal system as the oppressors and then, when the fighting ensues the children will be left vulnerable.
Vulnerable to being taught nothing – and most certainly not the Catholic Faith or the “value” of marriage. Value is now only seen in what career one chooses and better still, how much money one makes. The Church, made of people, is not immune. Dioceses and parishes take the logical next step in looking to the $$$$. As in how much can be pulled in – because taking the hit to teach the fullness of the Faith isn’t valued as it should be. One must always be popular, relevant, compete, etc. Much like a wife and mother must seemingly now compete with the onslaught of young, sexy, always in whatever mood, able to ‘do it all’, and yet somehow maintain the rearing of children which society is increasingly saying shouldn’t be “her” main concern. (Whose then? When the fighting begins the children get left off completely.)
But what one doesn’t appreciate is always taken away. Truth and the reality of who we are and what we are NOT being chief among them.