There
are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in
any way similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage
and family. Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts go against the
natural moral law. Homosexual acts “close the sexual act to the gift of
life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual
complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved”.
Sacred Scripture condemns homosexual acts “as a serious depravity... (cf. Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:10; 1 Tim 1:10).
This judgment of Scripture does not of course permit us to conclude
that all those who suffer from this anomaly are personally responsible
for it, but it does attest to the fact that homosexual acts are
intrinsically disordered”.(5) This same moral judgment is found in many Christian writers of the first centuries and is unanimously accepted by Catholic Tradition.
Those
who would move from tolerance to the legitimization of specific rights
for cohabiting homosexual persons need to be reminded that the approval
or legalization of evil is something far different from the toleration
of evil.
CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH: Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons
------------
With
the pretext of regulating one context of social and juridical
cohabitation, attempts are made to justify the institutional recognition
of de facto unions. In this way, de facto unions would turn into an
institution, and their rights and duties would be sanctioned by law to
the detriment of the family based on marriage. The de facto unions would
be put on a juridical level similar to marriage; moreover, this kind of
cohabitation would be publicly qualified as a “good” by elevating it to
a condition similar to, or equivalent to marriage, to the detriment of
truth and justice. In this way, a very strong contribution would be
made toward the breakdown of the natural institution of marriage which
is absolutely vital, basic and necessary for the whole social body...
If
the family based on marriage and de facto unions are neither similar
nor equivalent in their duties, functions and services in society, then
they cannot be similar or equivalent in their juridical status...
Marriage
and the family are of public interest; they are the fundamental nucleus
of society and the State and should be recognized and protected as
such. Two or more persons may decide to live together, with or without a
sexual dimension but this cohabitation is not for that reason of public
interest. The public authorities can not get involved in this private
choice. De facto unions are the result of private behavior and should
remain on the private level.
Pontifical Council for the Family: Family, marriage and "de facto" unions. 
4 comments:
According to the Constitution Act of 1867, section 91(26), the Parliament of Canada has exclusive authority over marriage and divorce. Far from disputing this claim, the Catholic Church in Canada has taken steps to avoid conflict with the state over marriage. Marriage tribunals will not hear a case unless it has first passed through the civil courts. Section 91(26) of our constitution makes a false claim which I do not recognize. I acknowledge the prior authority of the Catholic Church over these matters and none other. Therefore I will never support any action which asks that the state make any law which relies on section 91(26). Whether such a law agrees or disagrees with Catholic teaching is quite besides the point when the underlying authority for such law is false.
A Chestertonian update would be "the superstition of 'same-sex' marriage".
Once one accepts Caesar as overlord of morality; one is treading on thin ice. The Reformation ushered in a huge increase in State power, once the true authority of the Church had been cast off as the sole guardian of morality.
In Memory and Identity, Pope John Paul II said Catholics are actually supposed to resist -- not just disobey -- any civil law contrary to natural law. What could be more contrary than abortion, euthanasia or pseudo marriage between two persons of the same sex. Civil disobedience! That's what's required.
Pope John Paul II: “Human law is law inasmuch as it is in conformity with right reason and thus derives from the eternal law. But when a law is contrary to reason, it is called an unjust law; but in this case it ceases to be a law and becomes instead an act of violence."
Why are the bishops so passive? God bless you. Susan Fox www.christsfaithfulwitness.com
Once one accepts Caesar as overlord of morality
Barona, this has largely been done by the Catholic (sic dictum) educational community. Catholic trustees bowed, in slavish obeisance, to the twin Ceasars, Mcguinty and Wynne, in allowing the homosexuality affirming gay/strait alliance clubs, in Catholic high schools. Anytime now Catholic students will, with school board approval, be wearing their "Who am I to judge" T-shirts. Let us celebrate diversity.
All the while, crashing silence, from our bishops.
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