is supporting gay marriage an excommunicatable offense?

[Cake_or_Death]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m not sure that only having an opinion in support of same-sex marriage would be excommunicable, or a grave matter.

If one were to be an activist or politician supporting same-sex marriage, THEN it would be.

Yes? No?

It wouldn’t be public scandal if one didn’t voice the opinion or campaign no, but it would still be sin due to not believing in the “fullness of truth”. Technically not as bad, but still enough to incur Latae sententiae.

I say all this “as theory”, I’ve heard threats of formal excommunication given by Cardinals to the likes to Nancy Pelosi, Mary McAleese (pretty much every senior Irish politician since the sex scandals broke out has been threatened by the Irish Bishops or Curia with excommunication) and to other well known Catholics promoting SSM, Abortion and an assortment of other things but I’ve yet to hear of any of them being denied communion or the right of participation in church life.

Certainly the likes of Cardinals Burke and Law will pop their head above the parapet out once in a blue moon to declare the likes McAleese and Pelosi schismatics or heretics (I’m aware Law has since been disgraced for his part in the sex scandals) but that’s about as far as attempts to formally excommunicate someone usually goes.

Unless of course your a sexually active homosexual, a priest who leaves the clergy or a bishop who ordains someone illicitly. That always gets swiftly pounced upon and publicly denounced.

 

[Ophelia23]

I understand what you are saying. I agree that all people should be treated with respect, dignity, compassion and love and kindness. What I disagree with (and this is not directed toward the OP but toward what main stream society is trying to force us to accept) is the idea that marriage should be or can be redefined. It can not. It will not. Should gay men and women be afforded the same rights as any other person–definitely. I feel they should have the rights afforded to heterosexual couples in many regards because they are all just people. People. With dignity and flaws and grace and sin, just like the rest of us.

Somewhere in our rhetoric as a society, we have allowed certain terms to become interchangeable; rights v. privilege, love v. allowance, Christianity and acceptance of sin, and that is what has clouded the whole topic to become confusing for some. Marriage is not a right. It isn’t. It is a privilege. Parenthood is not a right. It is a privilege. Being a man or being a woman is not a right, it is a privilege. And for some, the idea that we are not all given equal gifts or equal privileges is almost scandalous.

Rights should be equal for all. Privileges, by their very nature, simply can not be.

 

[Origen52]

I guess the German bishops are all excommunicated then.

ncregister.com/daily-news/german-bishops-to-allow-employees-in-same-sex-unions-civil-remarriages-to-k/

 

[neophyte]

…My point being that as Catholics if the state recognizes a heterosexual marriage out side of church, but the church doesnt what difference does the sex of the parties involve make…

It has to do with what marriage is. The union of a man and woman is fundamentally different than any union of same-sex couples, and so a same-sex union can’t be a marriage in the same way that two containers of chlorine can’t combine to make salt.

Those who have homosexual attractions are already perfectly free to marry. What prevents it is their own aversion to being in a heterosexual union.

The question of excommunicability is best left to a canon lawyer.

 

[neophyte]

The question of excommunicability is best left to a canon lawyer.

I was about to add my observations that:

1. 
   *]A position in support of same-sex so-called marriage would seem to involve the denial of truths that must be believed with divine and Catholic faith.
   *]The denial of such truths is the stuff of heresy.
   *]Heresy incurs latae sententiae exommunication.
   
   So it looks like shaky ground to me.

 

[morbe77]

I spoke with a priest about this.
Just to para phrase our conversation from memory. I have my right to form my own opinions on controversial matters. And it takes more than forming my own opinion to be considered a heretic or schismatic. Because I was never really at a point where I was “against” the Church I really have nothing to worry about in the concern of being excommunicated. Furthermore the fact that after coming to a realization of the possible gave matter. I came to speak with a priest to seek the truth it was obvious that I do love God and that I do love the Church and was not against it.
Since then, I have chosen to adopt a more spiritual stance on same sex marriages. If asked on where i stand on the matter my response will be. “Even though I’ve had mixed opinions about this topic in the past I must stand with and support the Church’s teachings on the subject.” After all the congress, senate, supporters, nor any group of activist are not trying to get me into heaven, only the church is.
And I know this really isnt the best comparison but, many people are born with mental and psychological problems and become homicidal maniacs. This doesnt mean murder should be legal.