Prelate criticizes legislators who cite Pope in justifying same-sex marriage

November 21, 2013

The chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage lamented the legalization of same-sex marriage in Illinois and criticized legislators who suggested that Pope Francis would support same-sex marriage.

“The decision by the Illinois legislature and the governor to redefine marriage in law does not alter the natural reality that marriage is and can only be the union of one man and one woman,” said Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco. “Furthermore, marriage redefinition is a serious injustice. The law exists to safeguard the common good and protect authentic rights, especially the right of children to have a married mother and father.”

Archbishop Cordileone added:

When referring to the family, Pope Francis said very clearly in his first papal encyclical: ‘I think first and foremost of the stable union of man and woman in marriage’ … Pope Francis has forcefully reminded us that we are to show love and respect to all people and to seek their greatest good, and he therefore continues to clearly promote and defend marriage and family, recognizing that this is in everyone’s best interest as members of a common society. In fact, when confronting an effort to redefine marriage in his home country of Argentina, he said as Archbishop of Buenos Aires: ‘The identity of the family, and its survival, are in jeopardy here: father, mother, and children.’ He even added: ‘At stake is the total rejection of God’s law engraved in our hearts.’ It is therefore disgraceful that some legislators would manipulate the words of Pope Francis to suggest that he would support marriage redefinition.

 

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Further information:

• USCCB Subcommittee Chairman Decries Marriage Redefinition And Misuse Of Pope Francis' Words In Illinois (USCCB)