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Category Archives: Catholic Church

"The Vocation to Form One Flesh"

October 7, 2013 – 4:30 pm

Pope Francis urged youth today to have the “courage” to get married and have children despite a culture that emphasizes “individual rights” over family.

The pope made the remarks in Assisi during an energetic question and answer session with a number of young people.

[...]

The pope pointed out that marriage is a "real vocation, just like priesthood and religious life are. Two Christians who marry each other have recognized in their love story the Lord's call, the vocation to form one flesh, one life from the two, male and female" [emphasis added].

Cardinal Wuerl: “Truth is Never Discrimination”

August 23, 2013 – 2:58 pm

Never be afraid to speak the truth about marriage. Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington wrote on his blog last week:

"As state after state considers changing its laws on the definition of marriage, all of us have had to think about the nature of love, the meaning of marriage and the teaching of the Gospel.

“In the debate over the nature of marriage, even the White House chose to use words like ‘discrimination’ to describe the position of people of good faith who simply disagree with the President’s stance.” And in states where the legal definition of marriage has been challenged in the legislature and/or the courts, “words like ‘bigotry,’ ‘discrimination’ and ‘hatred’ have been bandied about with nothing more to support them than the actual fact that some people think that the definition of marriage really and truly is between a man and a woman.

“Too often the people who claim to be able to read the minds of other people and thus can denounce them as bigots are prepared to say in the next breath not only are your opinions not welcome, but neither are you any longer.” -Marriage: Unique for a Reason

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Marriage, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage, Washington | Comments Off

Local Bishops Urge Nigerians to Protect Marriage and Family

August 13, 2013 – 12:15 pm

Catholic Culture:

The bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Ibadan, which is located in southwestern Nigeria, warned against attempts to legalize same-sex marriage.

“We confirm that a family consists of a man, a woman and children,” the bishops said in a statement, as reported by the Fides news agency. “We empathize with people who live with homosexual and gay tendencies and call on society not to discriminate against them.”

“We however firmly reject all attempts to enshrine these tendencies in the Nigerian constitution, and we appeal to every Nigerian to protect the traditional values of marriage and the family as a way of fostering a cohesive society,” they added.

The bishops also lamented the violence afflicting northern Nigeria, rued the reinstitution of capital punishment, and said that the Year of Faith “has witnessed a new zeal and energy and zeal in the laity’s outreach in evangelization.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Africa, Catholic Church, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Catholic Priest Denies Communion to Same-Sex Couple -- and the Media Reaction that Follows

August 12, 2013 – 2:43 pm

From GoLocalProv:

Reverend Brian Sistare, the pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Woonsocket, is currently denying Holy Communion to Lew Pryeor and Pierre Leveillee, a gay couple who are members of Sacred Heart’s regular congregation.

As it is customary for Catholic priests to refuse Holy Communion to those who are unrepentant–and with knowledge of the Church’s teachings regarding homosexuality–one would think that this issue would be of small surprise and concern to the public.

For some reason, however, progressives have begun to salivate over Pryeor’s and Leveillee’s dilemma.

It’s interesting to consider the precise motivation for far-left progressives–people known to mock and ridicule the entire notion of “religion,” ... According to their own principal assumptions, for progressives to be concerned with two homosexual Catholics being denied Holy Communion is like sticking up for a child being forbade fairy dust at The Magic Kingdom–and then covering the story on RIFuture.org.

As one would expect from people who have no principles other than power, today’s progressive position seems to be this: Catholics are silly. Unless they’re gay Catholics.

The private happenings at Sacred Heart Parish simply provided RIFuture with an easy hit-piece against the political Right.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Marriage, Media, Religious Liberty, Rhode Island, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Cardinal George Doubles-Down on Decision to Defund Pro-SSM Immigration Group

August 6, 2013 – 4:04 pm

Responding to renewed criticism of his decision to defund the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights because of its overt support for same-sex marriage, Francis Cardinal George, archbishop of Chicago, Ill., has reaffirmed the move.

CHICAGO CARDINAL CELELEBRATES MASS DURING WORLD YOUTH DAY IN AUSTRALIA

In a July 29 statement, Cardinal George stated that the coalition, “broke faith with its member organizations when it publicly supported so called 'same-sex marriage.’ For its own political advantage, it introduced a matter extraneous to its own purpose and betrayed its own members, who were not consulted.”

Cardinal George was referring to the coalition’s May 2013 statement supporting “marriage equality” claiming that “full equality and civic participation should extend to…same-sex partnerships.”

The prelate took issue with claims that his decision effectively abandoned the poor: “It is intellectually and morally dishonest to use the witness of the Church’s concern for the poor as an excuse to attack the Church’s teaching on the nature of marriage.”

His response also quoted Pope Francis' description of natural marriage as a union founded on “the acknowledgement and acceptance of the goodness of sexual differentiation, whereby spouses can become one flesh and are enabled to give birth to a new life.”

In the cardinal’s conclusion he admonished his critics, saying “The Church is no one’s private club, she is the Body of Christ.” And he reminded those who signed the open letter criticizing the decision and supporting same-sex marriage that “...in a few years, like each of us, they will stand before this same Christ to give an account of their stewardship.

“Jesus is merciful, but he is not stupid; he knows the difference between right and wrong. Manipulating both immigrants and the Church for political advantage is wrong.”

You can read the story here, and you read Cardinal George’s entire statement here.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Culture, Illinois, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

God Save the Queen? Queen Elizabeth Gives “Royal Assent” to SSM in England, Wales

July 18, 2013 – 5:12 pm

The Washington Post reports that Queen Elizabeth II has given “royal assent” to a same-sex marriage bill that has recently passed in both of Great Britain’s legislative houses. This assent comes despite the fact that the Queen is also the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, which opposes same-sex marriage.

ssm_bus_england The bill had the full support of Prime Minister David Cameron, despite strong opposition by his Conservative Party. Cameron’s support appears to have come at a high political price with the article noting that, “some political commentators predict Cameron’s gay-friendly attitudes will cost him at the next election in 2015.”

The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales also fought the bill and quickly condemned its passage: “With this new legislation, marriage has now become an institution in which openness to children, and with it the responsibility on fathers and mothers to remain together to care for children born into their family unit, are no longer central. That is why we were opposed to this legislation on principle.”

You can read the rest of this article here.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Europe, Marriage, Politics, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage, United Kingdom | Comments Off

Pope Francis Affirms: Marriage is Between One Man and One Woman

July 9, 2013 – 9:00 am

Billy Hallowell at the Blaze/AP:

Pope-Francis Pope Francis issued his first encyclical Friday, a meditation on faith that is unique because it was written with someone else: Benedict XVI. In the document, though, Francis also drives home the point that marriage is an institution, at least under Catholic doctrine, that is exclusive to a man and woman.

Benedict’s hand is evident throughout much of the first three chapters of “The Light of Faith,” with his theological style, concerns and reference points clear.

Francis’ priorities come through strongest in the final chapter, where the Argentine Jesuit insists on the role of faith in serving the common good and giving hope to those who suffer. It includes his first clear statement as pope on marriage being a union between man and woman with the aim of creating children.

“This union is born of their love, as a sign and presence of God’s own love, and of the acknowledge and acceptance of the goodness of sexual differentiation, whereby spouses can become one flesh and are enabled to give birth to a new life,” the encyclical reads.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

U.S. Bishops Launch National Bulletin Insert on Marriage and the Supreme Court

May 11, 2013 – 12:00 pm

Catholic Bishops working actively to better educate and inform Catholics about their church's teachings on marriage and family. This is being shared with all American bishops for distribution in May and June.

You can download a PDF of the bulletin insert here.

Stained Glass Here are some of the messages it promotes:

Be a witness for the truth of marriage in word and action. Take advantage of opportunities to speak about marriage’s unique meaning in conversation with friends, family, neighbors or co-workers. Share the truth in love.

Everyone has inviolable dignity and deserves love and respect. There are many ways to protect the basic human rights of all, but redefining marriage serves no one’s rights, least of all those of children.

What is marriage? Marriage is the permanent and exclusive union of one man and one woman, for the good of the spouses and for the procreation and education of children. One man, one woman—for life. (See Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, no. 48).

The difference is the difference. Men and women matter. They are equal but different. Sexual difference is essential to marriage.

Mothers and fathers matter. They aren’t interchangeable. Every child has a basic, natural right to come from and be raised in the loving marital union of his or her own father and mother.

Protecting marriage matters to everyone. It’s Catholic social teaching 101: pro-woman, pro-man, pro-child. Redefining marriage in the law says many false things: women – mothers – are dispensable; men – fathers – are dispensable; what adults want trumps what a child deserves and has a basic right to. (Marriage Unique for a Reason blog)

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Debating Marriage, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (61)

Abp. Cordileone: SSM is "Serious Injustice"

May 8, 2013 – 12:00 pm

CatholicWorldNews:

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco decried same-sex marriage as a “serious injustice” after Rhode Island became the tenth state to legalize the practice.

“The meaning of marriage cannot be redefined, because its meaning lies in our very nature,” said the prelate, who serves as chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage. “Therefore, regardless of what law is enacted, marriage remains the union of one man and one woman – by the very design of nature, it cannot be otherwise.”

“We cannot claim to have a just society if we do not look out for the most vulnerable among us: children,” he added. “That means preserving in the law the principle that every child deserves a mother and father united in marriage.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (18)

“Femen” Activists Disrupt Event, Assault Archbishop

April 24, 2013 – 12:41 pm

Here is the story from globalpost:

The four protesters leapt out of their seats at a debate on blasphemy and freedom of expression held at the Brussels' Free University (ULB) campus Tuesday evening, baring their breasts and squirting water at Archbishop Andre Leonard as they accused him of homophobia.

The story notes:

[T]he archbishop himself remained composed and apparently at prayer throughout.

The women used water bottles made for blessed holy water, shaped like Catholic statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The picture to the left shows Archbishop Leonard picking up and kissing one of the bottles following the disruption.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Civility, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (41)

Bishop Tobin: Redefining Marriage in Rhode Island a "Grave Risk"

April 22, 2013 – 1:39 pm

Rhode Island's Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote on several same-sex marriage bills Tuesday, and Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Diocese of Providence is speaking out:

"As the Rhode Island Senate prepares to take action on legislation that would seek to legitimize 'same-sex marriage,' I once again urge members of the Senate to stand strong in resisting this immoral and unnecessary proposition and to defend marriage and family as traditionally defined. We should be very clear about this: it is only with grave risk to our spiritual well-being and the common good of our society that we dare to redefine what God himself has created. My prayer is that the senators will have all the wisdom and courage they need to do the right thing in this moment of decision."

We need the people of Rhode Island to TAKE ACTION today!

Call and email your state senators and urge them to protect marriage for the next generation.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Marriage, Rhode Island, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

U.S. Bishops Asked Catholics to Fast for the March for Marriage

March 23, 2013 – 10:30 am

CatholicWorldNews:

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has asked Catholics to offer their fasting and abstinence from meat on March 22 “for all who will march in the March for Marriage on Tuesday, or join spiritually from a distance, that they may witness boldly to the truth of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”

Quoting the future Pope Francis, a USCCB flyer added that “at stake is the identity and survival of the family: father, mother and children. At stake are the lives of children who will be discriminated against in advance, and deprived of their human development given by a father and a mother and willed by God.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, March for Marriage | Comments (7)

NOM's Peters: March for Marriage "an opportunity to show the positive face of the pro-marriage movement"

March 20, 2013 – 12:30 pm

Catholic San Francisco:

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone will speak on the importance of marriage, particularly to children, at the March for Marriage in Washington, D.C., March 26, the date of the U.S. Supreme Court hearing on California’s Proposition 8.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sent letters to all American dioceses asking them to promote participation in the March for Marriage. The event is organized by the National Organization for Marriage, and is supported by a coalition of 30 organizations including Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council, said Thomas Peters, one of the organizers.

“It’s an opportunity to show the positive face of the pro-marriage movement and to call on the Supreme Court to respect the seven million Californians who voted to enact Prop. 8 in 2008,” Peters said.

By NOM Staff | Posted in California, Catholic Church, March for Marriage, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (18)

USCCB Marriage Blog: Five Reasons to Participate in the March for Marriage

March 20, 2013 – 10:45 am

The Marriage Unique for a Reason blog run by the U.S. Catholic Bishops gives five reasons Catholics should support the March for Marriage -- here's the first reason:

1. When Pope Francis was archbishop of Buenos Aires, he encouraged the Catholic faithful to march for marriage. The year was 2010 and the Argentinean legislature was debating whether or not to redefine marriage. According to Zenit news, then-Cardinal Bergoglio “appealed to parish priests, rectors and chaplains of churches to facilitate the participation of the faithful” in a planned march and demonstration against redefining marriage. The marchers united under the motto “We want a mommy and daddy for our children” and Cardinal Bergoglio encouraged them to keep the tone positive. Read more about Pope Francis’ defense of marriage and family during his time in Buenos Aires.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, March for Marriage | Comments (4)

Pope Francis: A Stalwart Advocate of Marriage and Children!

March 13, 2013 – 6:12 pm

National Organization for Marriage

Friends —

As you have no doubt heard, the Catholic Church has a new Pope! Pope Francis (formerly Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina) is a humble man and a dedicated servant to the poor. He is also an outspoken advocate for God’s design for marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

But don't take my word for it. Read what Pope Francis said when a bill to redefine marriage was proposed in Argentina:

"Let's not be naive, we're not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God."

He has also said:

"At stake is the identity and survival of the family: father, mother and children. At stake are the lives of many children who will be discriminated against in advance, and deprived of their human development given by a father and a mother and willed by God. At stake is the total rejection of God's law engraved in our hearts."

I believe Pope Francis will follow in the steps of Pope Benedict XVI and provide a consistent and strong voice in support of marriage and children. Our prayers go out to him as he leads the world's over 1 billion Catholics in the weeks, months, and years ahead.