Pushing Back the Darkness in New York: Archbishop Dolan Defends True Marriage
law. There, communiqués from the government can dictate the size of families, who lives and who dies, and what the very definition of "family" and "marriage" means.
But, please, not here! 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.
Please, not here! We cherish true freedom, not as the license to do whatever we want, but the liberty to do what we ought; we acknowledge that not every desire, urge, want, or chic cause is automatically a "right." And, what about other rights, like that of a child to be raised in a family with a mom and a dad?
Our beliefs should not be viewed as discrimination against homosexual people. The Church affirms the basic human rights of gay men and women, and the state has rightly changed many laws to offer these men and women hospital visitation rights, bereavement leave, death benefits, insurance benefits, and the like. This is not about denying rights. It is about upholding a truth about the human condition.
Marriage is not simply a mechanism for delivering benefits: It is the union of a man and a woman in a loving, permanent, life-giving union to pro-create children. Please don't vote to change that. If you do, you are claiming the power to change what is not into what is, simply because you say so. This is false, it is wrong, and it defies logic and common sense.
Yes, I admit, I come at this as a believer, who, along with other citizens of a diversity of creeds believe that God, not Albany, has settled the definition of marriage a long time ago. We believers worry not only about what this new intrusion will do to our common good, but also that we will be coerced to violate our deepest beliefs to accommodate the newest state decree. (If you think this paranoia, just ask believers in Canada and England what's going on there to justify our apprehensions.)
But I also come at this as an American citizen, who reads our formative principles as limiting government, not unleashing it to tamper with life's most basic values.
- - -
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
Keywords: marriage, family, homosexual agenda, New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Deacon Keith Fournier
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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.