Pushing Back the Darkness in New York: Archbishop Dolan Defends True Marriage
You are claiming the power to change what is not into what is, simply because you say so
Our country's founding principles speak of rights given by God, not invented by government, and certain noble values - life, home, family, marriage, children, faith - that are protected, not re-defined, by a state presuming omnipotence. We cherish true freedom, not as the license to do whatever we want, but the liberty to do what we ought.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York
PrintNEW YORK, NY (Catholic Online) - The leaders of the homosexual equivalency movement are committed to a future where homosexual sexual practices are considered morally equivalent to the sexual expression of marital love between a man and a woman. They want a future where the positive law of the Nation will force us all to call to be a marriage what can never be a marriage - or face the police power of the State. They are using the courts and the legislatures to enforce what amounts to a cultural revolution.
Marriage is not simply a "religious" construct. The Natural Law reveals - and the cross cultural history of civilization affirms - that marriage is between a man and a woman, open to children and intended for life. Marriage is the foundation for the family which is the privileged place for the formation of virtue and character in children, our future citizens. The family is the first society, first economy, first school, first civilizing and mediating institution and first government.
In his apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Charity, Pope Benedict summarized the duty of the Catholic faithful when confronted with this assault on authentic marriage: "Marriage and the family are institutions that must be promoted and defended from every possible misrepresentation of their true nature, since whatever is injurious to them is injurious to society itself."
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church wrote in 2003, "The Church's teaching on marriage and on the complementarity of the sexes reiterates a truth that is evident to right reason and recognized as such by all the major cultures of the world. Marriage is not just any relationship between human beings. It was established by the Creator with its own nature, essential properties and purpose.
"No ideology can erase from the human spirit the certainty that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman, who by mutual personal gift, proper and exclusive to themselves, tend toward the communion of their persons. In this way, they mutually perfect each other, in order to cooperate with God in the procreation and upbringing of new human lives."
Now, the State Senate in New York is threatening to commit a form of legislative alchemy by calling what can never be a marriage to be one and then compelling all of the people of New York to pay homage to a new Edict from a New Caesar. Shamefully, Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Catholic, has promised to sign the legislation if it passes. In the words of the Archbishop of New York, "You are claiming the power to change what is not into what is, simply because you say so."
Archbishop Timothy Dolan is a heroic servant of the Church and pastor of the faithful of New York. When he was elected to the office of President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops I called it a sign of the Lord's continued guidance of the Church in the United States. I wrote "Truly, God has not forgotten His people in the Church in the United States"
I also said then - and repeat it now - the United States of America has become mission territory. The Catholic Church in the United States is in need of the "New Evangelization." Archbishop Timothy Dolan is a wonderful instrument of this New Evangelization, a trumpet in the hands of the Lord.
The Catholic Church and the message of authentic freedom and true humanism which she proclaims is the only hope for this age being ravaged by a hungry darkness. With characteristic courage, Archbishop Dolan is defending Marriage and the family and society founded upon it. Here is his article from his "Gospel in a Digital Age" Column of Tuesday, June 14, 2011:
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The True Meaning of Marriage
The stampede is on. Our elected senators who have stood courageous in their refusal to capitulate on the state's presumption to redefine marriage are reporting unrelenting pressure to cave-in.
The media, mainly sympathetic to this rush to tamper with a definition as old as human reason and ordered good, reports annoyance on the part of some senators that those in defense of traditional marriage just don't see the light, as we persist in opposing this enlightened, progressive, cause.
But, really, shouldn't we be more upset - and worried - about this perilous presumption of the state to re-invent the very definition of an undeniable truth - one man, one woman, united in lifelong love and fidelity, hoping for children - that has served as the very cornerstone of civilization and culture from the start?
Last time I consulted an atlas, it is clear we are living in New York, in the United States of America - not in China or North Korea. In those countries, government presumes daily to "redefine" rights, relationships, values, and natural ...
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as long as the Church makes speeches like so much wind in the desert - who cares?
show some spine, excommunicate Como for his decisions.
that won't happen though, to much politics to sort through before even thinking about the Word of God and His Holy Church......
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The haters lose, the lovers win!
Gay marriage forever!
Civil rights activists are trying to make homosexual marriage an issue when it is not. Equal rights under the law means that we have equal legal rights as individuals not that we are individually equal. One person may be more talented in one area, stronger, or smarter than another person. Sexual orientation used to mean that you were born either a boy or a girl. It was normal to be attracted to the opposite sex as one would be naturally in order to have children. Sexual deviation occurs when one wants to use their sexuality outside of the norm. This is why homosexuality used to be defined as a disorder by the psychiatric profession. Since the 70's, we have had a very strong attack made on the church for sticking to the teachings of our morality which supports the family unit; one male husband, one female wife and a child or children. The child, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have much more stability when the father and mother remain married and committed throughout their life. No one is being denied anything by this. It is only proper and good to follow in the way that God intended. We may have deep love for others but it does not mean that we should have sex with them! There are taboos in society for a reason. A brother and sister may love one another very much but they are not permitted to have a marriage. A woman may love her husband's best friend very much but they are not permitted to marry. A thirty year old may love a nine year old very much but they are not permitted to marry. A son in law may love his mother in law very much but they are not permitted to marry. Another person may love their dog but they are not permitted to have a marriage. Marriage is intended to be a committment between one man and one woman for the raising of children regardless if they end up having children or not. If they are older, they are still modeling that family unit as support in their roles.
Andrew Cuomo is a Catholic only when it suits him to be one. He sits in church on Sundays but he lives in sin with his girlfriend and takes his children to gay pride parades. He's also doing his best to bring about homosexual "marriage". I can only imagine the reparation he will have to make to God on account of his numerous, shameless sins. I only hope that he does not take Communion. He truly has not earned such a privilege.
I´m Brazilian and I can sadly say that here too, our legislators and lawyers are trying to create a "Gay Empire". I cannot see the future with good eyes, with all these sodomyes being released. I pray to God that have mercy on human race because we are in a situation much worse than at the time of Sodoma! God bless archbishop Dolan and every person who fights for decency in America!
First of all I'm going to make this very clear, no one in this God given world is responsible for your actions BUT YOU, yes, only you.... so that means you and only you will be accountable for what you have done. And yes my friend that means there is no one else to blame or point fingers at.
Second: Homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of God. Why do you think God struck down Sodom and Gamorrah? You got it, homosexuality. People can sit there and tell its a disease, a mental defect, a chemical imbalance; blah blah blah, whatever people. Homosexuality is a choice like everything in life, and like every choice on earth it comes with consequences; some far more dangerous than they can imagine.
Third: Marriage is between a MAN and a WOMAN. How do same sex people procreate? they can't. Ahhhhh are the gears grinding? When God created man a mate he created a WOMAN. If you read the Bible; every winged creature, land based creature, and water based creature had a mate of the OPPOSITE SEX. Come on people are catching my drift? So this big thing about gay rights and same sex marriage as far as I'm concerned has no morale, ethical, or even religious
basis to ground its self on.
Dear all - It is a pleasure to read such well balanced and coming from your heart responses. Some exceptions are only a proof of the rule. I learned a lot, and got surprised by that, from you guys. God Bless you all - those who are to keep marriage 'something special', and you guys who want make marriage 'whatever'. I am going to the Adoration Chapel this Sunday begging God for mercy for us all, and the change of the hearts of those who will vote. BTW - I learned when calling our senators, that two of the 'swing voters' declared themselves as 'for marriage.'
If one can go to Mass frequently,and treasure what the Mass consists of through all of the sacraments,the liturgy of the word and the Holy Eucharist,than there can be no confusion about morality or any of the churches moral teachings. The Churches duty is not to comment on current events. The work of the Church is to make Christ present to us,so that in Christ and in communion with him,we can be as he is and that is a perfect example of faith,morals and a real presence of love,that is obvious and present and useful,even willing to sacrifice oneself for the wellbeing of others as a whole. The Kingdom of God is within us and all we have to do is to open the door and let Christ in. No one who is a Catholic should be confused about the sacrament of marriage,especially as it is Holy and between a man and a woman. The Church teaches Truth and love,even sacrificial love as a love that is lived in the truth that is the Holy Kingdom of God on Earth,as it is in Heaven. The Church is and has always been a teaching consistent with a true teaching about faith and morals. If one doubts this read the Encylicals of any of the Popes throughout the years as well as the Holy Bible.
Well what do you guys expect? While the Archbishop is proclaiming the truth no doubt, it's a little too late. I'm relatively young, but old enough to have figured out that when it comes to basic morality our church has failed to do it's job. We can be angry and what politicians are doing and failing to do, but the reality is that it's the church's job to teach morality and they have obviously failed. I know this is a bold statement to say, but most of the parishes in our dioceses don't have any sort of marriage prep classes. They don't teach theology of the body. We rarely hear homilies about the social ills of the day. Every once in awhile we get a letter from the bishop about an issue and bless his heart for the attempt, but a shot across the bow every once in awhile isn't going to do it. If you aren't teaching the truth then you have to be prepared for the results. If we want to shy away from teaching basic morality and virtue, then I guess we shouldn't be suprised at the results. vance, thank goodness there has never been a sexual scandal in the GOP. I can sleep much better at night. Geez.
Daniel, you have summarized the hmosexuality well and precisely! It is their perverse acts that define them.
Some of our leaders will agree to about anything if it means that they will get votes as a reward. Shameful and very sad situation. They do not believe that they will have to account for their decisions - and account they will!
We need to pray and pray hard for they know not what they do.