Statement From Cardinal Ambrozic Regarding The Redefinition Of Civil Marriage In Canadian Law

Archdiocese Of Toronto, Ontario ^ | 6-29-05 | Cardinal Ambrozic

[ConservativeStLouisGuy]

 Statement From Cardinal Ambrozic Regarding The Redefinition Of Civil Marriage In Canadian Law

June 29, 2005

With the House of Commons having passed Bill C-38 on 28 June 2005, Canadians take another unfortunate step toward eliminating civil and social recognition and appreciation for the unique importance of the committed relationship of a man and a woman in marriage.

The issues at stake are not only the basis and the definition of marriage as established and celebrated since time immemorial by all religions and cultures, and as inscribed in nature. What is at risk is the future of marriage as a fundamental social institution, together with the importance that society accords to the irreplaceable role of a husband and wife in conceiving and raising children. It is their partnership that assures a stable context for family life, continuity with past and future generations, and gender models involving both mother and father.

With Bill C-38 now proceeding to the Senate of Canada, and in view also of ongoing developments in the health-care crisis, Canadians continue to witness a dangerous deterioration of their communal values. This worrisome decline in shared concern and care for the common good is also evident in the continuing high rates of marriage breakdown, the annual number of abortions, and the declining number of births.

In the face of the political manoeuvring on Bill C-38, it is particularly troubling to note the continued refusal by certain political parties and their leaders to recognize and respect freedom of conscience and religion. Members of Parliament were forced to follow a political deadline and to vote along party lines on an issue which deeply divides and troubles Canadians. This is an ominous sign of what can be expected in future debates on the application of Bill C-38 in the provinces and territories with regard to human rights legislation and the solemnization of marriage, as well as with regard to school policies on moral and social questions. The recent addition of several amendments to Bill C-38 does not diminish significant concerns about protecting freedom of conscience and religion, which the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms identifies as among the most basic of human rights. These apprehensions were repeatedly expressed by a number of groups appearing before the Special Legislative Committee on Bill C-38.

The Archdiocese of Toronto will continue to offer, and to insist upon, the Sacraments in accord with the Catholic belief of two millennia. Marriage will be celebrated only as the union of a man and a woman open to the bringing forth of children. Our pastoral work, our Catholic schools and our Catholic social services are committed to upholding Catholic teaching on marriage.

Finally, I want to thank all those who have worked so hard to support and enhance marriage for the long months during which this debate has been going on. You have made your voices heard in a positive way.  You have spoken from your experience of living in family, out of gratitude for your parents' cooperation in God's plan for the family and for the formation of children in his image and likeness.

[MRMEAN]

What is at risk is the future of marriage as a fundamental social institution, together with the importance that society accords to the irreplaceable role of a husband and wife in conceiving and raising children. It is their partnership that assures a stable context for family life, continuity with past and future generations, and gender models involving both mother and father.

Mother? Father? This is HATE SPEECH! Throw Cardinal Ambrozic in jail!