Catholics and Evangelicals: Defense of Marriage and the ‘New Ecumenism’

Catholic Online ^ | 9/3/09 | Deacon Keith Fournier

[tcg]

Dear Chairman Arthur:

On behalf of the Archdiocese of Washington, I write to express support for the initiative that is being filed with the Board of Elections and Ethics today. This initiative would allow voters a voice in the process to ensure that marriage in the District of Columbia continues to be legally defined as it always has been: between a man and a woman.

The Archdiocese of Washington includes 580,000 Catholics living in Washington, DC and neighboring Maryland counties. Catholic parishes, schools and ministries have been serving the needs of this area since before the District of Columbia was formed. It is out of our religious teaching and our long-standing commitment to serving the common good that we are compelled to write in support of this initiative to uphold marriage in the District of Columbia.

Originating in God's creative plan, marriage is rooted in natural law, which forms the foundation not only for church teaching, but also for civil law. Civil governments have recognized marriage throughout human history as between a man and a woman because of marriage's unique role in protecting the rights of children to have both a mother and a father and because it creates a stable and secure foundation for our society.

Marriage is more than just a union of two people who love each other and are committed to each other. It is reserved for man and woman because of their complementarity and, thus, unique ability to create and then nurture children with the different gifts that men and women offer. This definition has remained unchanged throughout time.

Recent efforts to change this historically and fundamentally essential institution by redefining it without the input of the electorate is unjust and makes this initiative necessary. We respectfully request your favorable action on the initiative.

[tcg]

May this 'New Ecumenism' for Marriage and Family signal the beginning of a new movement.This courageous move by Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl is joined to the hard work of other genuine and dedicated Christians in the District to defend marriage. Together it provides an example of a new and true ecumenism mobilizing around this vital social justice issue. Just as the efforts to respond to the cry of the “poorest of the poor”, children in the womb, brought us together in the Pro-Life movement, this effort to defend marriage - and the family founded upon it - is doing the same.

[Gil4]

If the Catholic church renounces Trent and embraces the true gospel (salvation by grace alone through faith alone), we can't work together. On areas of agreement, we can work separately for a common goal.

[tcg]

Put the old axe down buddy. You are like the guy who fiddled while Rome burned!

[lucias_clay]

Its interesting to note where the seeds of the idea that marriage was just a secular matter not beholden to morality and the church started from :



The above words of Luther sound eerily familiar to me. Its not a sacrament its just a civil matter between two people. That was the idea, among others, 500 years ago that created this wonderful mess we call progress.

[Gil4]

“Let them be anathema” is pretty strong language. Until that is no longer the official Catholic position, there’s nothing else to say. Rome can do what Rome is going to do. I’ll do what I’m going to do. But there can be no partnership.

[fwdude]

I'm just waiting for the Catholic Church to actually enforce its own teachings by disciplining and, when necessary, excommunicating its heretical, homosexual priests and discipline its unscriptural congregations and individual members. But this apparently won't happen.

Most Catholics voted for Øbama, many are in favor of abortion, sexual freedom (including homosexuality), and many liberal causes. Catholic universities are hotbeds of the most radical leftist ideologies to be found in America.