Catholic FAQ #6: Why marriage between one man & one woman?

Monsignor Eric Barr, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Religious for the Diocese of Rockford, IL, responds to the frequently asked question - "Why does the Church believe that marriage can only be between one man and one woman?"

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Marriage
• Catholic
• Catholic Church
• Monsignor Eric Barr

[seunghan85]

As a practicing Roman Catholic and a straight man, I fully support marriage equality based on the teachings of the Church: We are all equal before God. Period. It has nothing to do with the definitions or some trivial apologetic arguments. I sometimes wonder what Jesus might say when it comes to homosexuality, and I firmly believe He would say, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone." To me, this sort of universal love brought by Christ is what Catholicism is all about.

[M3di3v4L]

Title is misleading.. The "why" was not answered. I happen to agree that homosexuality shouldn't be embraced, but just quoting scripture doesn't explain why.

[Rickyrab]

Marriage is an institution. People might as well enter it in a straitjacket.

[HelloIsiiii]

So is it simply wrong to be homosexual?

[TheStrong32]

The issuse is not about the Sacrament of Matrimony, it is about the granting of marriage licenses by the state--which is none of the Church's concern. The Church will not perform marriages between Catholics and members of another faith, but would you ever dream of using your influence to forbid the state from issuing marriage licenses to interfaith couples? Of course not. So why do gays--and gays alone--merit your special opposition.

[TheStrong32]

If you really and truly believe that "homosexuals are not to be discriminated against," then why do the Catholics always stand up and oppose measures to protect gays from discrimination? And I'm not talking only about marriage. Catholics have stood up against employment and housing non-discrimination initiatives, and anti-bullying legislation. Catholics also supported DADT and DOMA, neither of which had anything to do with religious practice.

[ARD725]

Well...as a homosexual I found this to be the least offensive anti-gay-marriage take I've heard. Doesn't mean I think you're right, or that the scripture does fully support your interpretation, but at least you state your answer in a clear non-hateful way. Ultimately I'm not looking for the Church's approval for marriage equality, I'm looking to the non-theocratic state to support my rights. The Catholic Church can certainly believe what it wants without interfering in the lives of others.

[thischannelpointless]

@MoDeeSeventyThree There are many interpretations for any particular passage in the Bible, for example Genesis is meant to be read in allegorical sense.

When the Church interprets a passage she must do so in harmony with the Sacred Tradition that has been passed down to us from the Apostles.

Also keep in mind that while some things seem 'evil' to us now, like 'eye-for-an-eye' for example, they were good for the people they were intended, while other things remain constant..

[thischannelpointless]

@MoDeeSeventyThree An overweight person's desire for more food than they need is also considered "disordered" by the church. The same goes for people sexually attracted to little children. The Church teaches that homosexual desires are disordered because she holds that they lead to spiritual, psychological and biological .. etc harm of the person.

Does that answer your question?

[Liminalitea]

Your directness and evenhandedness on this question are very much appreciated, Monsignor. The important thing to emphasize is that the Church's teaching on sacramental marriage does not prevent gay and lesbian people from participating in the life of the Church. The insensitive manner in which some in the Church have publicly responded to the issue has been divisive and hurtful. May the love of Christ bring about reconciliation among us, that we may love one another as He has taught us.