Roman Catholic Opposition to Gay Marriage - Essay Example

Roman Catholic Opposition to Gay Marriage The recent of same-sex marriage in England somehow revives the controversy of the Catholic Church when it comes to same-sex unions, homosexuality and marriage as a whole. The issue remains controversial because of the voice of the LGBT community which is getting louder and louder in their call for equality and freedom in terms of the privileges basically afforded to heterosexual couples. Homosexuals do not just want to be heard nowadays – they also want to marry. The Church strictly adheres to the teachings that prohibit same-sex marriage, and a personal evaluation of the matter yields the same conclusions. The Church’s Teaching on the Issue First of all, based on a recent statement of former Pope Benedict XVI in the Sacramentum Caritatis, “Marriage and the family are institutions that must be promoted and defended from every possible misrepresentation of their true nature, since whatever is injurious to them is injurious to society itself” (“Redefining Marriage”). In this particular article, where the quotation from the Pope was cited, the Church presented several examples of situations where service providers and sellers declined services for same-sex couples for their weddings and causing these poor service providers and sellers to be answerable to the law. According to the Scriptures, particularly in Romans 1:26-32 states that “For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men…” (“Homosexual So-Called Marriage”). In this particular passage from the Book of Romans, the Scriptures illustrate the outcome of same-sex unions, and the decision of God is clearly stated at the end of the passage: “Though they know God’s decree that those who do such things deserve to die” (“Homosexual So-Called Marriage”). Based on history and according to ancient Roman law, the Theodosian Code and the Code of Justinian, which were decrees instituted by the Roman Emperors Constantius II and Constans, marriage with unnatural sex as a basis should be punished “meticulously” (Frakes). After this, the law of 390 AD, the Theodosian Code and the Lex Dei provided that any man who took the role of a woman in sex would be burned to death in public (Frakes). In the same way, based on the teachings of the Catholic Church, marriage cannot be redefined into something for same-sex couples because marriage reflects “the [deep] reality of the unique, fruitful, lifelong union that is only possible between a man and a woman,” in the same way that only oxygen and hydrogen can combine to form water and that a combination of oxygen and nitrogen cannot have the same result (“Frequently Asked Questions”). Moreover, the Church teaches that marriage is unique from mere love and commitment because marriage is a “communion” and based on Gen. 2:24, only a man and a woman can undergo this communion and thus become “one flesh” (“Frequently Asked Questions”). The Church also teaches that the traditional idea of marriage between a man and a woman is actually an act of considering the value of the human body as a means of revealing the person, and not just an object or tool for sexual pleasure (“Frequently Asked Questions”). Another point that the Church is driving at when it comes to the issue of same-sex marriage is that marriage must produce the gift of a child, and that only a heterosexual union can possibly and naturally make this possible. According to the teachings of the Catholic religion, “Sexual behavior between two men or two women can never arrive at the oneness experienced between husband and wife, nor can these acts be life-giving” (“Frequently Asked Questions”). Moreover, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church numbers 1602-1605, marriage is an institution and lifelong union that “should be always open to the procreation of children” (“Between Man and Woman”). The Catholic Church’s view of marriage is that of an obedience to the nature of man and woman, and so same-sex marriage is “not based on the natural complementarity of male and female” and so the “natural” purpose of sexual union cannot be achieved by any same-sex union (“Between Man and Woman”). Moreover, this is not an act of unjust discrimination against homosexual persons because the Catholic Church after all urges the faithful that homosexual persons “be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity” (“Between Man and Woman”). Based on Catholic Answers.com, the Catholic Church also uses science as a basis for the healthiness of heterosexual marriages. According to Catholic teachings, heterosexual marriage has benefits that scientific studies have looked at, while homosexual marriages do not have such data. Some of the examples of these benefits are based on the fact that single men do a lot of stupid things, that they drink too much, drive when drunk, get into fights, and that single women are no different although they do these stupid things in a lesser degree. Having a spouse to monitor one’s health is therefore one of the most tangible benefits of heterosexual marriages. Moreover, according to psychological research, the health and longevity of married people are relatively much longer than single ones because married people possess “a greater sense of life purpose” (“Gay Marriage”). Moreover, married people are believed to have sex more often than single people, and most of all, more happily. The benefits of marriage and fidelity also contribute to the fact that happier marriages make some people live longer lives (“Gay Marriage”). Science and psychology indeed has become a part of the basis of heterosexual marriage for the Catholic Church. One Catholic Church leader who is one of the strongest opponents of same-sex marriage is the Pontiff himself, Pope Francis I. According to a news report from The Telegraph, Pope Francis excommunicated in a May 31, 2013-excommunication document written in Latin an Australian priest from Melbourne who was known for his radical views on gay marriage and the female clergy (Stanley). Although the Pope is not vocal on the issue of same-sex marriage itself, he is one who definitely believes in the sanctity of heterosexual marriage and the evil nature of same-sex unions. Another staunch defender of the Catholic faith and an active opponent of same-sex marriage is Shrewsbury Bishop Mark Davies. Davies clarified in an interview on March 19, 2014 that Christians generally oppose same-sex marriage since they are doing it “out of love” and not out of prejudice or discrimination. In the United Kingdom, particularly in England, Bishop Davis opposes the passing of same-sex marriage into law last July 2013. Although the law came into force beginning the last week of March 2014, Bishop Davis believed that the battle against same-sex marriage should continue. Following former Pope John Paul II’s famous line, “Do not be afraid,” Bishop Davies is forever inspired to fight against same-sex marriage by educating the Catholic faithful about the true meaning of love (Westen). Another loyal defender of the Catholic faith and the stance of the Catholic Church against same-sex marriage is Bishop of Monrovia Lewis J. Zeigler. According to All Africa News, Bishop Zeigler has warned the African country of Liberia of the spiritual and social consequences of same-sex marriage. Zeigler told the Liberian faithful in an interview that the Liberians should stop their lack of respect and hatred towards each other and the Church. The bishop also called for the continued efforts of all Liberians to stop self-centeredness, greed, corruption and selfishness as many of these things may bring about same-sex marriage and all other negative things in Liberian society nowadays. Thus, for the past Holy Week, Bishop Zeigler has directed and advised Liberians to abandon their old ways and to fast for the nation as well as for the problem against same-sex marriage, which the bishop considers as something that will promote the decadence of society (“Liberia”). Still, a prominent group of priests who express their views against gay marriage explicitly is the Church of England’s House of Bishops. The House of Bishops has actually vowed since 2005 not to officiate any same-sex marriage or ordain any of the faithful who is into same-sex marriage to any of the three orders of the ministry, namely as a bishop, a priest or a deacon. The problem with the Church of England, however, is its rather inconsistent views on same-sex marriage because it rather tolerates same-sex relationships. This is actually often pointed out by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Another problem is that the Church of England had a number of their priests take a positive stance in favor of same-sex marriage. For example, Reverend Colin Coward, who belongs to the Pro-LGBT Anglican Changing Attitude Group, mentioned that even a priest had already booked his wedding. This statement from a member of the Church of England was actually severely criticized by the Bishops of Oxford and Manchester, who both said that despite the institution of the laws that favor same-sex marriages, the clergy and the faithful are still called and required by Catholic faith to live a life that is consistent with the teachings of the Church (Trimmer). In fact, there are more denominations of the Christian religion that agree with the stance of the Catholic Church on same-sex marriage. In fact, based on a letter to the Catholic faithful in America from the religious leaders of the Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Evangelical, Jewish, Mormon, Pentecostal and Lutheran Churches, the proponents of the Christian faith should remain resilient in rejecting same-sex marriage despite the punishments coming from the government (“Ecumenical and Interreligious Activities”). Personal Assessment The question on where the truth lies in the controversy of the Catholic Church involving same-sex marriage is actually very difficult since there is no clear basis for what this truth is and what its basis should be. However, the safest route, which hopefully fulfills what Jesus Christ refers as the truth that will set one free is in the teachings of the Church herself. The teachings of the Church may not be considerate and may appear very strict and conservative, but it remains as the basis of the truth. Nothing else can be higher than this truth for all Catholic faithful. The teachings of the Church are based on the Scriptures, on the pure doctrines of the Church, and even on science and psychology. There is nothing more standard than this, and anyone’s opinion cannot equal the amount of research and study that the first Holy Fathers of the Church put in for the purpose of establishing these teachings. Thus, if these speak against same-sex marriage, then it must be that same-sex marriage is in fact not perfect, not recommended and not moral as a way of life. Although some people would contend that these are the modern times and that many are saying that we should accommodate same-sex couples into our religion, it is still an argumentum ad populum or a fallacy that directs our attention to the voice of the many, which after all does not guarantee truth and validity. What then should be the modern times like? Should it be a time to tolerate homosexual marriages? Should the next step then be the toleration of crimes of any kind, of pornography and the rest? The Church would then lose its role and purpose. This is actually not a slippery slope fallacy. This is reality, and this is the most probable consequence once the Catholic Church becomes lenient to same-sex marriages. One should therefore allow the LGBT groups and the laws to favor same-sex marriages, but as a Catholic one should personally oppose these threats to the moral structure of society. Top of Form Bottom of Form Works Cited “Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers about Marriage and Same-Sex Unions." Promotion and Defense of Marriage. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Washington DC, 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. “Ecumenical and Interreligious Activities." Promotion and Defense of Marriage. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Washington DC, 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. Frakes, Robert. “Why the Romans Are Important in the Debate About Gay Marriage." History News Network: Washington DC, 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. “Frequently Asked Questions about the Defense of Marriage."  Promotion and Defense of Marriage. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Washington DC, 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. “Gay Marriage." Documents. Catholic Answers: Washington DC, 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. “Homosexual So-Called ‘Marriage.’”  Catholic Bible 101: Washington DC, 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. “Liberia: Catholic Bishop Warns Against Same Sex Marriage." West Africa. The Inquirer: Monrovia, 14 Apr. 2014. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. “Redefining Marriage and the Threat to Religious Liberty." Religious Freedom and Marriage. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Washington DC, 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. Stanley, Tim. “Pope Francis excommunicates pro-gay marriage priest. He’s not the liberal the media wants." News. The Telegraph: Washington DC, 23 Sept. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. Trimmer, Michael. “Church of England bishops say no to blessings for same-sex marriages." Gracevine. Christian Today: Washington DC, 17 Feb. 2014. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. Westen, John-Henry. “UK Bishop Davies: Catholics oppose same-sex ‘marriage’ out of love." News. Life Site News: Washington DC, 19 Mar. 2014. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. Read More