A Letter on Marriage: Bishops Conference of England and Wales

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The government is about to launch a consultation on changing the legal definition of marriage. Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Peter Smith, President and Vice President of the Bishops’ Conference respectively, have written to Catholic parishioners to voice their opposition to any change in the law and to encourage participation in the consultation:
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“Changing the legal definition of marriage would be a profoundly radical step. Its consequences should be taken seriously now. The law helps to shape and form social and cultural values. A change in the law would gradually and inevitably transform society’s understanding of the purpose of marriage. It would reduce it just to the commitment of the two people involved. There would be no recognition of the complementarity of male and female or that marriage is intended for the procreation and education of children.We have a duty to married people today, and to those who come after us, to do all we can to ensure that the true meaning of marriage is not lost for future generations.”
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Supporting the existing legal definition of marriage, they say:
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“The roots of the institution of marriage lie in our nature. Male and female we have been created, and written into our nature is this pattern of complementarity and fertility. This pattern is, of course, affirmed by many other religious traditions. Christian teaching fills out this pattern and reveals its deepest meaning, but neither the Church nor the State has the power to change this fundamental understanding of marriage itself.”
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The letter will be read out at Masses throughout England and Wales on 10/11 March.
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The full text can be read here:
catholic-ew.org.uk/Home/News-Releases/Archbishops-Letter-on-Marriage
 
Yes, when I was at mass today we were “pre-warned” that the letter would be shared at mass tomorrow 😦
 
The free and easy way many bishops have been granting annulments since the Vatican II Renewal has done more to damage the institution of marriage among Catholics than anything else, in my view. I’ve heard many Catholics state this same viewpoint.
 
Bartolome_Casas said:
The free and easy way many bishops have been granting annulments since the Vatican II Renewal has done more to damage the institution of marriage among Catholics than anything else, in my view. I’ve heard many Catholics state this same viewpoint.
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I have heard the same and it baffles. The Bishops are not the petitioners to any annulment proceedings.
 
Splendid response from my Parish!!! You could hear a pin drop when Father read the letter. There were a few gasps as he read the first paragraph: "This week the Coalition Government is expected to present its consultation on purported change…to open the institution of marriage to same-sex partnerships." He then explained in greater detail why we believe what we believe. Someone said that it was the best catechism class she has ever attended. 🙂

Copies of the Pastoral Letter was handed to everyone and we had to run a few more as many requested an extra copy to take home and share with friends. Our Parish Priest also ensured printouts of the Petition Form were available to those who wished to give their support but do not have access to the online Petition.
 
Santi2 said:
…Copies of the Pastoral Letter was handed to everyone and we had to run a few more as many requested an extra copy to take home and share with friends. Our Parish Priest also ensured printouts of the Petition Form were available to those who wished to give their support but do not have access to the online Petition.
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Any plans to put the Letter on-line?
 
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