USCCB News Release (June 3, 2013)
USCCB Subcommittee Chair Applauds “Victory In The Land Of Lincoln.”
- Marriage redefinition not inevitable
- Many thanks to concerned citizens, civic and faith leaders
- Redefining marriage does not bring equality
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, applauded the “victory in the Land of Lincoln” as the Illinois state House failed to vote on a bill to redefine marriage before the legislative session ended last Friday.
“The fact that the Illinois state House did not vote on the marriage redefinition bill reflects a failure to have the votes to pass the bill,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “This victory in the Land of Lincoln demonstrates that marriage redefinition – even in the face of intense political pressure – is not inevitable, a likely reason we haven’t heard much about it in the national media.”
A diversity of faith leaders joined together to defend marriage in Illinois.
“Leaders of various faith traditions spoke eloquently on the reality that nature and nature’s God make clear that marriage is the union of one man and one woman,” Archbishop Cordileone said. “Catholics will continue to proclaim with people of other faiths and of no particular faith that marriage is the one-flesh union of one man and one woman. Indeed, both faith and reason lead us to this truth.”
Archbishop Cordileone also addressed the claim that equality requires redefining marriage in law.
“All persons have inherent dignity and must be treated equally with the respect and justice that is their due,” he said. “That is part of the purpose of the law; it is not the purpose of the law, though, to give people social status, as the advocates for marriage redefinition contend. For a well-ordered society, laws must reflect reality; for them to contradict reality would be simply irrational. Our children deserve as much and depend upon all of us, especially our leaders, to protect the reality of marriage, not redefine it in the law. Many thanks go to all those who let their voices be heard in defense of marriage in Illinois,” Archbishop Cordileone said.
The bill to redefine marriage that was not brought to a vote in the Illinois state House had passed the Illinois state Senate earlier in the year. Proponents of marriage redefinition in Illinois may try again to advance the bill in the Illinois legislature later this year.
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From the Catholic Conference of Illinois: “CCI Issues Statement on House adjourning without voting on redefinition of marriage legislation” (June 1, 2013)
5 responses to “USCCB News Release: Victory in Illinois!”
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If Lincoln lived in the 21st century I’m sure he would be as strong an advocate for gay marriage as he was against slavery. Since his time science and medicine have increased our understanding of human sexuality and its importance to the physical and psychological health and well-being of our human existence.
There is firmly established consensus among scientists, biologists, psychologists and other medical experts describing homosexuality as a naturally occurring immutable human characteristic. These conclusions are grounded by extensive research based on numerous repeatable peer reviewed observations and studies involving actual gay people and control groups adhering to strict scientific procedures. Most importantly in regard to this discussion, are the dire warnings of the risk for harmful psychosis and even deadly consequences as a result of forced repression, denial and reparative or “curative” therapies; yet these facts are never considered relevant and inexplicably rejected in favor of defending religious dogma.
The most troubling aspect of the church’s position is the toll taken on gay youth. 30 to 40% of gay kids attempt suicide due to chronically high levels of stress they face as members of a stigmatized minority group. 24,000 kids between the ages of 15 and 24 die each year from suicide; with gay kids 3 to 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers.
If “All persons have inherent dignity and must be treated equally with the respect and justice that is their due,” the Catholic Church fails miserably to show it as she denies that justice and dignity every day to every gay man, woman and child in her misguided efforts to prevent same sex marriage. LGBT people are not looking for social status, they are looking for social acceptance in the well ordered society that the Archbishop describes. They want marriage laws that do reflect reality, a reality that is firmly situated within sound medical, psychological and scientific principles. Indeed, it is the Church and her antiquated doctrine that is irrational and contradicts reality.
Here is where John Buckley’s argument proves illogical:
The Church does not deny homosexuality. It does, however, prohibit disordered sexual activity.
For example:those who vow celibacy are not in danger of ‘psychosis’ as you say of homosexual persons. They have simply accepted that life is about much more than the loss of their virginity.
The Church doesn’t take away freedom, it perfects it.
According to the accepted science, there is nothing disordered about homosexual behaviors when compared with heterosexual behaviors. People of both orientations display similar attributes with similar frequencies. Both create pair bonds through sexual attraction, fall in love and exhibit similar psychological syndromes when the natural process is disrupted.
The church defies this conventional model of modern scientific wisdom with respect to these behaviors when she imposes her ancient doctrine on gay people. The psychosis forms when, contrary to the implication in your example, gay people vow celibacy, they do not do so voluntarily; they are manipulated with misinformation and untruths about their sexuality and threatened with eternal damnation if they fail. Our gay youth are the most vulnerable.
There are no inconsistencies with logic here except for Samwise’s idea that gay people are obsessed with sexual activity and not capable or worthy of falling in love; and the notion that needlessly suffering a tormented life at the hands of an oppressive and misinformed church is tantamount to freedom made more perfect.
Mr. Buckley you’re the first person I’ve ever heard try and convince us that homosexuality is a “natural” activity. We don’t have to get graphic I hope but come on! Homosexuality is not natural in any way and is in fact very un natural and an abomination to God who made us “in His image, male and female he created us”.
Blake, I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything as the sciences of biology and medicine are already convinced. I suggest you read some of the numerous publications available on the subject; but do yourself a favor, search the public library instead of a church gift shop.
While you are at it, please read some of God’s other laws written in the bible. You will find there are many of them, some are sanctioned activities, and some prohibited, many punishable by death, for example:
Eating shellfish is an abomination in Lev 11:10.
Planting two different crops in the same field or wearing garments made of two different threads is prohibited in Lev. 19:19.
Hair cuts are prohibited in Lev.19:27.
Slave ownership is sanctioned in Lev. 25:44.
Selling children into slavery is sanctioned in Exodus 21:7.
Working on the Sabbath is prohibited in Exodus 35:2.
No one obeys these laws anymore; so why do you insist that we obey Lev 18:22 and 20:13? I think it’s because the male and female created God in our image. It has been an ongoing process since then and we still shape his image today. As we become more educated in the sciences and understand the evolution of humanity, we find that God is never the teacher, he is always the student and usually the last to graduate.