The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a response to the scandal caused within the Church last week when Vice President Joe Biden officiated at a same-sex “marriage” in his home.
“When a prominent Catholic politician publicly and voluntarily officiates at a ceremony to solemnize the relationship of two people of the same-sex, confusion arises regarding Catholic teaching on marriage and the corresponding moral obligations of Catholics. What we see is a counter witness, instead of a faithful one founded in the truth,” writes Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops along with Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, New York, and Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami.
“Questions revolving around marriage and human sexuality are deeply felt in our homes and communities. We join with our Holy Father Pope Francis in affirming the inviolable dignity of all people and the Church’s important role in accompanying all those in need. In doing so, we also stand with Pope Francis in preserving the dignity and meaning of marriage as the union of a man and a woman. The two strands of the dignity of the person and the dignity of marriage and the family are interwoven. To pull apart one is to unravel the whole fabric.”
They continue to cite Pope Francis, who has been very clear in affirming Church teaching that same-sex relationships cannot be considered “in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family.”
Consequently, laws that redefine marriage to deny its essential meaning are among those that Catholics must oppose, including their application after they are passed, the bishops remind.
“Such witness is always for the sake of the common good.”
They also refer to the pope’s comments about the role of politicians which were made last year during his visit to the U.S. when he said that all lawmakers “are called to defend and preserve the dignity of [their] fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good, for this is the chief aim of all politics.”.
Catholic politicians in particular are called to “a heroic commitment” on behalf of the common good and to “recognize their grave responsibility in society to support laws shaped by these fundamental human values and oppose laws and policies that violate [them].”
They go on to say that faithful witness to Church teaching can be challenging, and will only grow more challenging in the future. “But it is also the joy and responsibility of all Catholics, especially those who have embraced positions of leadership and public service.”
The bishops are calling up on the faithful to pray for Catholic leaders in public life, “that they may fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them with grace and courage and offer a faithful witness that will bring much needed light to the world.”
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