Washington Bishops Seek Stronger Catechesis After Same-sex Marriage Vote

CathNews USA ^ | 11/9/12

[marshmallow]

Voter approval of a Washington state referendum legalizing same-sex marriage was greeted by a call for “real and respectful dialogue in our church” by the organization of Catholics supporting Referendum 74 — and by bishops’ statements their sees to stronger catechesis on traditional and sacramental marriage.

“We are very proud that Catholics around the country followed their consciences rather than the rigid position of the hierarchy, and their voting reflected the spirit of Catholic social teaching,” said the statement from Catholics for Marriage Equality Washington, alluding to other successful popular votes legalizing same-sex marriage in Maine and Maryland.

“Sadly, our bishops chose to ignore both Gospel and pastoral wisdom in their aggressive opposition to civil marriage for all God’s children,” the statement added. “They also failed to stand up for deep Catholic American respect for proper separation of church and state and for simple fairness to all.”

In a statement released the day after the balloting, when it seemed likely the marriage equality law would be ratified 52 percent to 48 percent, Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain said he was “disappointed that so many voters failed to recognize marriage between a man and a woman as the natural institution for the permanent, faithful covenant of love for a couple, for bringing children into the world, and for nurturing and educating those children.”

“Despite the election results, the campaign has been an opportunity for the church to reaffirm its consistent teaching on marriage,” Sartain wrote. “The campaign to preserve marriage as a union between a man and a woman represents a starting point for a long-term effort to educate Catholics about its meaning and purpose. The church offers a vision of marriage and family life that enriches our communities and society and we remain committed to that vision while respecting the......

[Salvation]

I’m thinking that he did write a letter, even though he was busy elsewhere.

[Just mythoughts]

The Church's actual positions are: (1) That the immigration system, which is clearly broken, needs to be reformed on a basis that respects the dignity of the human person. (2) That there needs to be a system of social support for the needy and helpless. If that basic minimum can be supplied by more efficient use of taxes rather than increasing them, the Church could never have any objection. (3) That life in prison without parole is preferable to the death penalty. The Church is not against punishing criminals, but generally against the state killing its citizens.

This church does not have authority from God to strip me of my God given rights. But hey it was elected liberal Catholics that gave Obama his deathcare act. The pope is for universal healthcare, and by definition from this modern age would be birth control in whatever form a liberal decides they are willing to fund.

I do not want this nation turned into Mexico for the so called sake of 'dignity of the human person'. When in fact what is being done is filling empty pews and begging baskets and mandating the rest of US to fund their healthcare and their education.

[namsman]

He might have spared a moment or two in order to take care of business closer to home for a few weeks. I’m all on-board with suppressing heretical nuns but in comparison to the great evil unleashed in Washington state, they are small potatoes.

[Salvation]

Aren’t heretical nuns part of this same problem?

[wideawake]

This church does not have authority from God to strip me of my God given rights.

Which rights, in particular, do you consider to be stripped?

But hey it was elected liberal Catholics that gave Obama his deathcare act.

I'm not sure why the existence of apostate Catholics is an excuse for the Catholic Church to sit by in silence on moral issues.

The pope is for universal healthcare

That's a mischaracterization.

and by definition from this modern age would be birth control in whatever form a liberal decides they are willing to fund.

Hence the Church's view that "universal healthcare" as it is conceived today is flawed.

I do not want this nation turned into Mexico for the so called sake of 'dignity of the human person'.

The number one reason why the US would be "turned into Mexico" is Americans contracepting and aborting their next generation of descendants.

There would be no "immigration crisis" if Americans believed enough in America to populate it.

When in fact what is being done is filling empty pews and begging baskets and mandating the rest of US to fund their healthcare and their education.

In point of fact, Mexicans living in the US are not particularly avid churchgoers or contributors. Mexico is an aggressively secular nation - just because someone comes from Mexico is hardly a guarantee that he is a believer.

[jacknhoo]

Too late.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

I’m really thinking of starting to attend SSPX services.

First check out the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.