Virginia bishop responds to Kaine's support for same-sex marriage, affirms Church teaching

September 13, 2016

Bishop Francis DiLorenzo of Richmond, Virginia, has issued a statement reaffirming the Catholic teaching on marriage—apparently in response to a public prediction by vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine that the Church will eventually endorse same-sex marriage.

Bishop DiLorenzo does not refer to Kaine in his own public statement. But the bishop seems clearly responding to the statement by Kaine—a member of his diocese—when he insists that "the Catholic Church's 2000-year-old teaching to the truth about what constitutes marriage remains unchanged and resolute." 

"Our understanding of marriage," the bishop says, "is a matter of justice and fidelity to our Creator's original design." Here, too Bishop DiLorenzo appears to be answering Kaine, who had cited the diversity of Creation as a reason to accept same-sex unions.

Bishop DiLorenzo stated:

Redefining marriage furthers no one’s rights, least of all those of children, who should not purposely be deprived of the right to be nurtured and loved by a mother and a father. We call on Catholics and all those concerned for preserving this sacred union to unite in prayer, to live and speak out with compassion and charity about the true nature of marriage-- the heart of family life.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo Statement on The Catholic Church’s Teaching Regarding Marriage (Richmond diocese)