Let me state very plainly that no human court has the authority to change what God has written into the law of creation. This ruling is irreconcilable with the nature and definition of marriage as established by Divine Law. The marital covenant was established by God with its proper nature and laws.
I realize that this ruling will create conscience problems for many Catholics, especially those in public office. In some cases, civil disobedience may be a proper response. No priest or deacon of this Diocese may participate in the civil solemnization or celebration of a same-sex marriage. All Catholics are urged not to attend same-sex marriage ceremonies. No Catholic facility or property, including but not limited to parishes, missions, chapels, meeting halls, Catholic educational, health or charitable institutions, or facilities belonging to benevolent orders may be used for the solemnization of same sex marriage.
The upcoming Synod of marriage and the Family is scheduled for this October. It is dedicated to the vocation and mission of the family in the church and in the contemporary world. I may give consideration to the problems created by the alteration of the traditional law about marriage.
As Catholics, we have a profound respect for the dignity of all God's children. Nevertheless, there is no basis in law or in nature for altering the traditional definition of marriage, established by God from the beginning.
Our bishop was pretty upfront about the issue..
The KofC council that I belong to is losing our council hall because of this. We can no longer host weddings, which used to pay the bills, so we are having to sell the building.
Didn’t this Bishop have to deal with some serious pedophile issues from among the former Priesthood there?