III. The Roman Catholic Church cannot support any movement to offer ceremonial blessings or civil legalization of same-sex marriages. “Laws,” the Bishops’ statement continued, “play an educational role insofar as they shape patterns of thought and behavior, particularly about what is socially permissible and acceptable. In effect, giving same-sex unions the legal status of marriage would grant official public approval to homosexual sexual activity and would treat it as if it were morally neutral when the Church teaches otherwise. Further, when other relationships re-define ”˜marriage’ and become equivalent to it, the institution of marriage cherished by God and the Church is devalued and further weakened.” (Between Man and Woman, Part 5)
IV. Our beliefs about marriage are not, and should not, be viewed as discrimination against homosexual people. The Church teaches that we must treat our homosexual brothers and sisters in Christ with respect, dignity and love, as we would all people. The Catechism of the Catholic Church warns that any form of prejudice and hatred ”“ “every sign of unjust discrimination” ”“ against homosexual people should be avoided (CCC 2358). Moreover, the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, echoing the Catechism, has instructed, “the particular inclination of a homosexual person is not a sin.” Nevertheless, the Church teaches that sexual activity outside of marriage is “contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality which is naturally ordered to the good of spouses and the generation and education of children.” (CCC 2353).
At least one bishop in Rochester holds fast the faithful word as he has been taught.
Also, [url=http://blog.archny.org/?p=1247]this[/url] from Archbishop Dolan of NY, the head of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops:
[blockquote]Last time I consulted an atlas, it is clear we are living in New York, in the United States of America – not in China or North Korea. In those countries, government presumes daily to “redefine†rights, relationships, values, and natural law. There, communiqués from the government can dictate the size of families, who lives and who dies, and what the very definition of “family†and “marriage†means.
But, please, not here! Our country’s founding principles speak of rights given by God, not invented by government, and certain noble values – life, home, family, marriage, children, faith – that are protected, not re-defined, by a state presuming omnipotence.
Please, not here![/blockquote]
The Catholic Church is right on.
I have a lot of fondness for the Bishop. I disagree with the “basic moral understanding” of the RC church, but in practice, he is sincere about his love of gay and lesbian people.
Of course, China and N. Korea have long, hostile relationships to homosexuality. Mao was very clear it was a symbol of western decadence.