The Supreme Court may rule a person can marry their pet gopher and the wedding will be valid civilly. That doesn’t mean it is blessed by the church or make it a Sacramental marriage.I’ve been wondering how Catholics would react if/when SSM was mandated. Now that this is no longer a hypothetical perhaps it is time to concentrate on that question.
We have instruction from the Catholic Church (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) that:In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty. One must refrain from any kind of formal cooperation in the enactment or application of such gravely unjust laws and, as far as possible, from material cooperation on the level of their application. In this area, everyone can exercise the right to conscientious objection.It’s not a sacramental marriage. Also, “same sex” does not always equal homosexual. Some marriages are now, as in the past, done for convenience or financial benefits.
Maybe there’s no reason to assume the worst. Just let it remain a pastoral issue.
Maybe they could form a mutual benefit society. That way they are not open to the public at large. The Church could also give up its authority to perform marriages recognized by law and just perform Holy Matrimony.What’s going to happen to Catholic caterers, wedding photographers, bridal shop owners, bakers, etc. who refuse to do business with gay weddings? Will there be a conscience exemption, or will they be forced to comply?
Forty years ago the idea of SS"M" would have been considered ludicrous if someone mentioned it.…
The very idea that we would be forced to perform such a thing in regard to our faith, rules, and beliefs is lubricous. [sic]
The world is an evil place. It can’t stand a power vacuum.Lastly, why would anyone want to force someone to perform this ceremony if they were so not wanted? Why would anyone want to be someplace and do something that is at the least distasteful to the group they are imposing themselves on. Just go wherever you are welcome and celebrated and leave the rest of us at peace.
AMEN!We have instruction from the Catholic Church (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) that:In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty. One must refrain from any kind of formal cooperation in the enactment or application of such gravely unjust laws and, as far as possible, from material cooperation on the level of their application. In this area, everyone can exercise the right to conscientious objection.
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030731_homosexual-unions_en.html