Posted on 06/29/2015 2:10:42 PM PDT by markomalley
Joseph Edward Strickland
By the Grace of God and the Apostolic See
Bishop of Tyler
TO THE PRIESTS, DEACONS, CONSECRATED RELIGIOUS AND CATHOLIC FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE OF TYLER, OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF OTHER FAITH TRADITIONS, AND ALL PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL IN THE THIRTY-THREE COUNTIES OF NORTHEAST TEXAS THAT MAKE UP THE DIOCESE OF TYLER:
On the morning of June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down a 5-4 decision establishing the legal right of two individuals of the same sex to legally marry in all 50 states. By doing so, the Court has acted in contradiction to their duty to promote the common good, especially what is good for families. I join with the Bishops of the United States in calling this decision a “tragic error.”
Let me unambiguously state at the outset that this extremely unfortunate decision by our government is unjust and immoral, and it is our duty to clearly and emphatically oppose it. In spite of the decision by the Supreme Court, there are absolutely no grounds for considering unions between two persons of the same sex to be in any way similar to God’s plan for marriage and the family. Regardless of this decision, what God has revealed and what the Church therefore holds to be true about marriage has not changed and is unchangeable.
Marriage is not just a relationship between human beings that is based on emotions and feelings. Rather, our Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Traditions tell us that God established true marriage with its own special nature and purpose, namely the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children.
While taking a strong stand for marriage is the duty of all who call themselves Christian, every type of unjust discrimination against those with homosexual tendencies should be avoided. We must treat these individuals with loving kindness and respect based on their dignity as human persons. Christ rejects no one, but he calls all of us to be converted from our sinful inclinations and follow the truth He has revealed to us. Nevertheless, our continued commitment to the pastoral care of homosexual persons cannot and will not lead in any way to the condoning of homosexual behavior or our acceptance of the legal recognition of same-sex unions.
While some of us may have family members who have same-sex attraction, and there are even some who are members of our local churches, this decision to require the legal recognition of so-called marriage between homosexual persons should in no way lead us to believe that the living out of this orientation or the solemnizing of relationships between two persons of the same sex is a morally acceptable option.
We know that unjust laws and other measures contrary to the moral order are not binding in conscience, thus we must now exercise our right to conscientious objection against this interpretation of our law which is contrary to the common good and the true understanding of marriage.
Given this and recognizing my responsibility and moral authority as the shepherd of this Church of Tyler, I will shortly issue a decree in this Diocese establishing, as particular law, that no member of the clergy or any person acting as employee of the Church may in any way participate in the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages, and that no Catholic facilities or properties, including churches, chapels, meeting halls, Catholic educational, health or charitable institutions, or any places dedicated or consecrated, or use for Catholic worship, may be used for the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages.
Finally, I call on the Catholic faithful of the Diocese to turn in prayer to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, asking their intercession for our nation that all of us may come to a greater understanding of the beauty, truth and goodness that is found in marriage as revealed to us by our Savior.
I instruct that this letter is to be publically read by the priest-celebrant following the proclamation of the Gospel at all Masses of obligation in the parishes, missions and chapels of Diocese of Tyler on the weekend of July 3-4, 2015.
Given at the Diocesan Chancery
On the 26th day of June
Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen
Most Reverend Joseph E. Strickland
Bishop of Tyler
**I will shortly issue a decree in this Diocese establishing, as particular law, that no member of the clergy or any person acting as employee of the Church may in any way participate in the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages, and that no Catholic facilities or properties, including churches, chapels, meeting halls, Catholic educational, health or charitable institutions, or any places dedicated or consecrated, or use for Catholic worship, may be used for the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages.**
I agree! What a spine!
Bishop with a spine ping!
His career train just got derailed.
Good on him for standing up.
Excellent, concise, forceful, and to the point.
And I also applaud his final command:
“I instruct that this letter is to be publically read by the priest-celebrant following the proclamation of the Gospel at all Masses of obligation in the parishes, missions and chapels of Diocese of Tyler on the weekend of July 3-4, 2015.”
Too often our clergy ignore these things, and seem not to want to get involved in them. But it is their solemn duty to proclaim the truth, and to speak up when the truth is severely threatened.
I noticed that our local parish priest said nothing at all about this at Sunday Mass yesterday. Let’s hope he speaks out next week. Let’s hope our bishop orders him to. But I won’t hold my breath.
Yay for Bishop Strickland!
This is a no-nonsense announcement. Straightforward in its meaning and intention.
I hope all the other American Bishops follow suit.
Perfect.
For a non-example, you could take a look at Archbishop Cupich's statement (/barf)
And, no, I won't give a link.
Wait’ll the false prophet...er, scuse me...the Pope gets a hold of him.
4th of July letter.
Important precision that needs to be emphasized.
. Francis should also be issuing a statement like this for every parish in the world, as country after country folds to the homosexuals. Tragic and inexcusable that he hasn't.
“We know that unjust laws and other measures contrary to the moral order are not binding in conscience, thus we must now exercise our right to conscientious objection against this interpretation of our law which is contrary to the common good and the true understanding of marriage.”
Gets my thumbprint of approval.
And yet, Chatty Cathy appointed clown prince Cupich to Chicago and will, no doubt, confer a red hat upon him as a cardinal at the next consistory. This is Cupich’s reward for being a spaghetti spine on pro-life and on perversion posing as “marital love.” It is as though Bernardin were alive again.
Huzzahs for this Bishop.
I can’t wait for Cardinal Dolan to do the same.
That’s really disturbing, even as a non-Catholic.
This country is on the verge of another civil war. This time, there will be hell to pay. May God have mercy on the souls of those that govern us.
Not holding your breath, are you?
Tell the good Bishop, this is not a Christian country any more since the courts have separated Church and State. And the Courts decide on individual rights not man and woman rights. Our recourse is amend the Constitution. Let’s get started. Leaders step up.
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