MARRIAGE AND THE SUPREME COURT - USCCB Nationwide Bulletin Insert

[anthony022071]

usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/promotion-and-defense-of-marriage/upload/Bulletin-AFTER-Scotus-brown.pdf

…PRAY, FAST, SACRIFICE

The Bishops have encouraged Catholics to participate in a Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty. Visit www.usccb.org/pray to learn more and commit to praying and fasting for life, marriage, and religious liberty.

ADVOCATE FOR MARRIAGE

Don’t be afraid to talk about it.

Be a witness for the truth of marriage. Take ad- vantage of opportunities to speak about it kindly with family, friends, neighbors or co-workers. Be prepared for false charges of discrimination and to respond with the following truths in charity.

What is marriage?

Marriage is the permanent and exclusive union of one man and one woman, for the good of the spouses and for the procreation and education of children. One man, one woman, for life.

The difference is the difference.

Men and women are equal and different. Sexual difference is essential to marriage and raising chil- dren. Ignoring or removing “the difference is… the problem, not the solution” (Pope Francis).

Mothers and fathers matter.

They aren’t interchangeable. While single parents and others raising children often make heroic sac- rifices and deserve support, society should also affirm every child’s basic, natural right to come from and be raised in the loving marital union of his or her own father and mother…

 

[edwest2]

Thank you for posting this.

Ed

 

[Memaw]

Thank you for posting this.

Ed

THANK YOU, We should have started this a looong time ago.God Bless, Memaw

 

[pianistclare]

Praying that many parishes use this insert.
Peace!

 

[abelville]

Thank you for this post. My priest said last week to expect this in the bulletin. I’m wondering why Pope Francis has not made a statement concerning the Supreme court decision. I realize that the US is not the only country dealing with this, but we are a huge chunk of this stance for Catholic marriage. I read where he said that the bishops should talk about a possible non-sacramental union with same sex couples. My adult children (catholic), and my father (Protestant) all believe Pope Francis is pro- same sex union (without the marriage) probably because of the media running with snippets of brief interviews. Well, I think there has been enough questioning where our leader needs to state very clearly where he and the Catholic church stands.

 

[edwest2]

Thank you for this post. My priest said last week to expect this in the bulletin. I’m wondering why Pope Francis has not made a statement concerning the Supreme court decision. I realize that the US is not the only country dealing with this, but we are a huge chunk of this stance for Catholic marriage. I read where he said that the bishops should talk about a possible non-sacramental union with same sex couples. My adult children (catholic), and my father (Protestant) all believe Pope Francis is pro- same sex union (without the marriage) probably because of the media running with snippets of brief interviews. Well, I think there has been enough questioning where our leader needs to state very clearly where he and the Catholic church stands.

A very clear document already exists:

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030731_homosexual-unions_en.html

Ed

 

[abelville]

A very clear document already exists:

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030731_homosexual-unions_en.html

Ed

Thanks for that Ed. I’m very thankful for this document and our wonderful Pope John Paul the 2nd who wrote it. It does exist thankfully. However, the issue I’m hearing around me by Catholics and other Christians, is what does the vicar of Christ now really think and support? I hear some of our US Bishops speaking out, and fueled by this encyclical as part of their testimony. I’m pretty sure, they would all love to have strong vocal support of their commander and chief.

 

[lakotak]

Was all the parishes in the US supposed to get this document in their bulletins? If so, mine did not.

 

[Corki]

Nothing in our parish either. And not a word from the pulpit either this Sunday or last. Time to look for a new parish home.

 

[pianistclare]

Was all the parishes in the US supposed to get this document in their bulletins? If so, mine did not.

Any of the Bulletin inserts are available to any parish for download and reprint for no fee.
It’s up to the Bulletin editors to put in the work to include them. At our parish, it’s the Secretary. For some reason, she believes we should not have an insert every week, and prefers to put things of local interest, like picnics and such.
I’d ask the pastor if I saw one that would be especially good. I find that many Pastors like to use them because it saves them from the folks who challenge their homilies after Mass is over, but yet, they put the facts out there for people to read.
Assuming of course, that people actually read the bulletin. Often, they end up on the kitchen counter for a day and then tossed in the trash.
Speak to yours.

No, parishes do not HAVE to utilize them. But many of them are excellent.

 

[7_Sorrows]

usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/promotion-and-defense-of-marriage/upload/Bulletin-AFTER-Scotus-brown.pdf

…PRAY, FAST, SACRIFICE

The Bishops have encouraged Catholics to participate in a Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty. Visit www.usccb.org/pray to learn more and commit to praying and fasting for life, marriage, and religious liberty.

ADVOCATE FOR MARRIAGE

Don’t be afraid to talk about it.

Be a witness for the truth of marriage. Take ad- vantage of opportunities to speak about it kindly with family, friends, neighbors or co-workers. Be prepared for false charges of discrimination and to respond with the following truths in charity.

What is marriage?

Marriage is the permanent and exclusive union of one man and one woman, for the good of the spouses and for the procreation and education of children. One man, one woman, for life.

The difference is the difference.

Men and women are equal and different. Sexual difference is essential to marriage and raising chil- dren. Ignoring or removing “the difference is… the problem, not the solution” (Pope Francis).

Mothers and fathers matter.

They aren’t interchangeable. While single parents and others raising children often make heroic sac- rifices and deserve support, society should also affirm every child’s basic, natural right to come from and be raised in the loving marital union of his or her own father and mother…

Thanks for posting this. I had not seen it.

 

[J_Peterson]

We didn’t have anything in our bulletin. Honestly though, I think if it is put in there it will be politely ignored but I’ve been wrong before.

 

[zz912]

THANK YOU, We should have started this a looong time ago.God Bless, Memaw

Agreed. The battle has already been lost, and we have yet to begin fighting. Or even organizing our troops.

The Church Militant sat around doing nothing and evil spread across this country.

 

[boar2roar]

Agreed. The battle has already been lost, and we have yet to begin fighting. Or even organizing our troops.

The Church Militant sat around doing nothing and evil spread across this country.

We have spent more time playing for both sides and criticzing countries like Uganda or even Russia than fighting anything.

 

[phil19034]

Thank you for this post. My priest said last week to expect this in the bulletin. I’m wondering why Pope Francis has not made a statement concerning the Supreme court decision. I realize that the US is not the only country dealing with this, but we are a huge chunk of this stance for Catholic marriage. I read where he said that the bishops should talk about a possible non-sacramental union with same sex couples. My adult children (catholic), and my father (Protestant) all believe Pope Francis is pro- same sex union (without the marriage) probably because of the media running with snippets of brief interviews. Well, I think there has been enough questioning where our leader needs to state very clearly where he and the Catholic church stands.

Anyone who reads Pope Francis’ comments when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires knows he’s not pro-same sex marriage.

And most Catholics would agree that two people living together (whether lovers, cousins, best friends, siblings, parent & adult child, etc.) should be to easily set up the same legal next of kin and inheritance rights that married couples share if they wish. The easy creation of Domestic Partnerships could have avoided this who Gay Marriage thing AND would have provided better rights for non-romantic relationships I mentioned above.

I believe (if anything) that is what Pope Francis is in favor of. Not Same Sex Unions per say, but allowing roommates the right (if they wish) to establish next of kin rights.

And regarding the Pope making comments regarding the Supreme Court ruling, the Popes rarely discuss political decisions of different nations and allows the local national bishops’ conference to address to the situation; especially in non-Catholic countries. If this was Malta, Poland, or a nation in South America; he might say something. But the US is/was a protestant nation, so he is prone to allow the USCCB to address the situation.

God Bless

 

[unstoppable_II]

…
And most Catholics would agree that two people living together (whether lovers, cousins, best friends, siblings, parent & adult child, etc.) should be to easily set up the same legal next of kin and inheritance rights that married couples share if they wish. …

Have you taken a poll of enough Catholics to support this conclusion? Where does all this social engineering end?

 

[Yeoman]

Of interest to this general topic, particularly as Justice Kennedy based his opinion on “evolving concepts”, according to the latest AP poll, following the Supreme Court opinion, support for same gender marriage is. . . down.

Apparently poll results went from 48% approval down to 42%, with disapproval at 40%. Given the nature of statistics, that means that its a statistical tie. It’d also mean that 20% of the American population is keeping their opinion to themselves. Truth be know, part of that 6% that changed their mind probably didn’t, but just was stating one opinion while holding another.

6% isn’t much, unless it comes in just a couple of weeks. And support for people with objections of conscience is really high, about 60%. So we see a swing in just a couple of weeks following the decision which probably indicates that people either weren’t that comfortable with this to start with, or once they saw the aggressive kick off of campaigns based on this decision they no longer believe that it won’t matter.

We’ve lost, true. But by one vote and more cases are coming. This court is ancient and the chances of this not sticking are real.

 

[Yeoman]

And most Catholics would agree that two people living together (whether lovers, cousins, best friends, siblings, parent & adult child, etc.) should be to easily set up the same legal next of kin and inheritance rights that married couples share if they wish.

Perhaps, but they already could. That was easily achievable by legal means that are easier to change, if necessary, that dissolving a marriage is.

FWIW, I wonder how many same gender couples wanted to now be subject to all the legal oddities married couples are. For example, the Social Security Administration takes the position that conventional couples living together, irrespective of a legal marriage, are married in the eyes of the SSA for purposes of some benefits, so they’ll include both of their incomes together for purposes of determining income eligibility. They haven’t done that with same gender couples. . . yet.

They will.

Kicking some people off of SSA benefits.

Probably not the movements desired result.

 

[EIF5A]

Of interest to this general topic, particularly as Justice Kennedy based his opinion on “evolving concepts”, according to the latest AP poll, following the Supreme Court opinion, support for same gender marriage is. . . down.

Apparently poll results went from 48% approval down to 42%, with disapproval at 40%. Given the nature of statistics, that means that its a statistical tie. It’d also mean that 20% of the American population is keeping their opinion to themselves. Truth be know, part of that 6% that changed their mind probably didn’t, but just was stating one opinion while holding another.

6% isn’t much, unless it comes in just a couple of weeks. And support for people with objections of conscience is really high, about 60%. So we see a swing in just a couple of weeks following the decision which probably indicates that people either weren’t that comfortable with this to start with, or once they saw the aggressive kick off of campaigns based on this decision they no longer believe that it won’t matter.

We’ve lost, true. But by one vote and more cases are coming. This court is ancient and the chances of this not sticking are real.

Hmm…that was interesting.

So is the problem the media that overplays one side and ignores the other?

What would it take to solidify marriage? A Constitutional amendment?

IMHO, it would be necessary to dismantle from public perception the false definition of “marriage equality”: a pineapple will never be an apple, and vice-versa. And somehow, we need to get through the message to the LGBT community that just because we won’t bake a gay wedding cake doesn’t mean we don’t view them as any less of people.

The perception of inequality when the two things weren’t even comparable in the first place is something we need to undo.

But in an age where nothing really matters, even biological reality, what do we do?

 

[baliano]

We need a whole lot more from the bishops than a bulletin insert!