Archdiocese of DC rages against marriage ruling with ”homosexual aberrations, sexual sins” vs. ”the children”
Charles Pope, the longtime voice for the Archdiocese of Washington‘s blog, fired off another angry, anti-gay rant in reaction to the Supreme Court‘s marriage-equality rulings. Today, in a 5-4 decision, the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act was declared unconstitutional. Five of the justices also dismissed an appeal that could have kept California’s Proposition 8 as law.
ADW’s Pope argued against gays having equal marriage rights due his beliefs in “serious sexual sins,” “homosexual abberations” and “what is best for the children … the children … the children.”
In his blog post, “Supreme Mistake,” he acknowledged that there is a “tsunami that has swept over our culture in regards to the matter.” Pope said he was “bewildered,” though, by the fact that a clear majority now indicates a willingness to undo DOMA and Prop. 8. He granted, for example, that “polls show that over 60% of Californians want Proposition 8 removed.”
Pope then contrasted these facts with his own religious views and a belief that society was better off in the 1950s when only “traditional marriages” were widely recognized. He fumed that “the focus is on the rights of the adults,” and repeatedly pitted gay rights and his church’s established taboos against the needs of children:
“And while it is true that we have a pastoral concern to call to repentance those who commit serious sexual sins, such as fornication, adultery, and homosexual acts, from the public policy point of view the Church’s stance on marriage is that traditional marriage is what is best and just for children…. It is unjust because it fosters and encourages a climate that is increasingly poisonous and problematic for the children who are raised in it.
“And hence, our objection to the legal recognition of Same-sex unions is not only an objection to homosexual aberrations, but also to other assaults on the family such as fornication, cohabitation, polygamy, no-fault divorce, intentionally single motherhood, and fatherhood, and so forth. Every child deserves, and has the right to be raised by his father and mother, who have committed themselves to a lifelong stable union….”
“The systematic dismantling of traditional marriage through sexual irresponsibility, fornication, adultery, easy divorce, and now elevating as same sex unions to the status of legal marriage, all shred what children need and deserve, namely, traditional marriage.”
In a separate statement, ADW called the decision unsettling, and claimed that marriage is not a creation of the state.
The archbishop of Baltimore, William E. Lori, also stepped forward to voice his own negative sentiments. In a statement, he called the ruling in favor of gay marriage “troubling” and a “threat” with “far-reaching consequences, most especially for children.” Lori added:
“Today’s decisions will also undoubtedly contribute to concerted efforts not just to redefine marriage but to dismantle it, efforts which represent a serious threat to religious liberty and conscience rights for countless people of faith. This threat to religious freedom is one of many, locally and nationally, that has prompted our current Fortnight for Freedom, which we hope will inspire people throughout the country to prayer, education, and action to preserve religious liberty.”
Another organization said to be a Catholic ally, the National Organization for Marriage, released a statement calling the court’s decision a “miscarriage of justice.” Unlike Pope, NOM’s Brian Brown seemed to refute the idea that the majority of Californians wish to overturn the 2008 ban. He claimed that the will of 52 percent of voters had been subverted. Brown then descended into rather ridiculous hyperbole and accusations by writing:
“There is a stench coming from this case that has now stained the Supreme Court. They’ve allowed corrupt politicians and judges to betray the voters, rewarding them for their betrayal. It’s an illegitimate decision. We and millions of other Americans will refuse to accept this rogue decision rewarding corruption.”
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