[EBH]

Pope Francis explained that contemporary society has “devalued” the sacrament by turning it into a social rite, removing the most essential element, which is union with God.

"Social Rite," what an interesting way to term it.

[Hostage]

God Bless the Pope!

Finally! His words are clear!

[Blue Turtle]

Breaking news: the Pope is still Catholic.

[theBuckwheat]

Marriage is a covenant defined by God, not a contract defined by man and thus able to be regulated by man’s governments.

In Matthew chapter 19, Jesus stated it was God’s intention that only one man and one woman can be married. God defines other sexual relations including homosexual ones as immoral. People who practice them will not be granted eternal life. (Rev 22:15).

However, we have a secular government and a First Amendment. But this cuts both ways, a fact most forget.

Because too many government officials are now hostile to how God defines marriage, government is being used to force me to recognize and even enable “marriage” that God tells me is morally repulsive. Just as we have a separation of church and state, we must now have a separation of marriage and state. When marriage is a private matter, then anyone can enter into any manner of relationship they please, but they cannot use government to impose their definition on others.

[mbarker12474]

In all our focus on homosexuality and homosexual marriage, let us not lose site of the bigger picture and other (lost) battles in the areas of:
— teen sex
— pre-marital sex
— no-fault divorce
— cohabitation
— acceptance of adultery
— pornography
— equivalence of males and females
— our acceptance of entertainment’s acceptance and normalization of all the above

[TexasFreeper2009]

The Pope is 100% correct.

BUT, to be consistent he would need to condeem all supposed “marriages” that are not performed by a religious leader as simply “social rites”.

These people who run off and get “married” by a judge are not really married either!

[Ted Grant]

Francis needs to come to firm decisions and stick to them. This isn’t funny anymore. Either uphold Church values and morals, or announce you’re not in communion with the
Church and resign.

[polymuser]

When the RCC excommunicates Catholic politicians and pundits that support homosexual ‘marriage’ and abortion, I’ll believe the RCC is serious.

Until then, talk is cheap.

[NYer]

Another h/t to freeper Hostage for posting a link to this article.

Catholic ping!