Catholics and Protestants Unite Against Gay Marriage
Wednesday 18th June 2008
Church officials from several denominations condemned gay marriages in one form or another yesterday as California issued its first wedding licenses for same-sex couples.
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Archbishop of York John Sentamu. Image by Nick.
Several Catholic Bishops released a statement condemning same-sex marriage yesterday, saying that the difference between the sexes is crucial to the sacred Catholic concept of marriage.
The Irish Bishops’ Conference released a statement saying: "In view of the current debate in our society about the nature of marriage, sometimes promoted by individuals or institutions who claim support from Christian ideals, the bishops reiterated that marriage presupposes the mutuality and complementarily of the sexes”.
"Christian tradition holds that sexual differentiation is intrinsic to our understanding of the sacrament of marriage. Marriage has a meaning that is not reducible to individuals' intentions and society's laws.”
It added that “the loving marital relationship between a woman and a man needs to be one that is faithful, exclusive and lasting.” So basically they’re saying that gay marriage is none of those things, it’s just a big pile of unfaithful short-term flings apparently.
At the same time the Irish Bishops were issuing their denunciation of gay marriage, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in the Anglican Church were condemning a more specific incidence of gay marriage.
Last month two Anglican priests, one of whom has since left the Church, married in a traditional church ceremony after a civil union at a London courthouse. The ceremony they used, a traditional Anglican ritual, sparked controversy amongst Anglicans who do not condone religious services for gay marriages.
The Archbishops said in a joint statement: "We have heard the reports of the recent service in St Bartholomew the Great with very great concern. We cannot comment on the specific circumstances... On the general issue, however, the various reference points for the Church of England's approach to human sexuality are well known and remain current.”
"Those clergy who disagree with the Church's teaching are at liberty to seek to persuade others within the Church of the reasons why they believe, in the light of Scripture, tradition and reason that it should be changed. But they are not at liberty simply to disregard it."
An Anglican priest who was the freeholder of St. Bartholomew the Great Church in London where the ceremony took place performed the service. The Archbishop of London is currently investigating the matter.
While the heads of the Anglican and Catholic Churches took a fairly moderate, if anti-gay, stance, radicals in California showed just how classy ultra-religious conservatives can be when confronted with things they disagree with.
The Bilerico Project reported that a gay marriage supporter playing guitar outside City Hall in San Francisco collapsed yesterday. As emergency workers struggled to save the man’s life anti-gay protesters shouted such encouraging phrases as "Satan Got You!", "What is the Devil whispering in your ear about now?" and "God killed him for loving fags!!". Mocking the dying is apparently just what Jesus would do.
Archbishop of York John Sentamu. Image by Nick.
Several Catholic Bishops released a statement condemning same-sex marriage yesterday, saying that the difference between the sexes is crucial to the sacred Catholic concept of marriage.
The Irish Bishops’ Conference released a statement saying: "In view of the current debate in our society about the nature of marriage, sometimes promoted by individuals or institutions who claim support from Christian ideals, the bishops reiterated that marriage presupposes the mutuality and complementarily of the sexes”.
"Christian tradition holds that sexual differentiation is intrinsic to our understanding of the sacrament of marriage. Marriage has a meaning that is not reducible to individuals' intentions and society's laws.”
It added that “the loving marital relationship between a woman and a man needs to be one that is faithful, exclusive and lasting.” So basically they’re saying that gay marriage is none of those things, it’s just a big pile of unfaithful short-term flings apparently.
At the same time the Irish Bishops were issuing their denunciation of gay marriage, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in the Anglican Church were condemning a more specific incidence of gay marriage.
Last month two Anglican priests, one of whom has since left the Church, married in a traditional church ceremony after a civil union at a London courthouse. The ceremony they used, a traditional Anglican ritual, sparked controversy amongst Anglicans who do not condone religious services for gay marriages.
The Archbishops said in a joint statement: "We have heard the reports of the recent service in St Bartholomew the Great with very great concern. We cannot comment on the specific circumstances... On the general issue, however, the various reference points for the Church of England's approach to human sexuality are well known and remain current.”
"Those clergy who disagree with the Church's teaching are at liberty to seek to persuade others within the Church of the reasons why they believe, in the light of Scripture, tradition and reason that it should be changed. But they are not at liberty simply to disregard it."
An Anglican priest who was the freeholder of St. Bartholomew the Great Church in London where the ceremony took place performed the service. The Archbishop of London is currently investigating the matter.
While the heads of the Anglican and Catholic Churches took a fairly moderate, if anti-gay, stance, radicals in California showed just how classy ultra-religious conservatives can be when confronted with things they disagree with.
The Bilerico Project reported that a gay marriage supporter playing guitar outside City Hall in San Francisco collapsed yesterday. As emergency workers struggled to save the man’s life anti-gay protesters shouted such encouraging phrases as "Satan Got You!", "What is the Devil whispering in your ear about now?" and "God killed him for loving fags!!". Mocking the dying is apparently just what Jesus would do.
