Florida bishop seeks respectful dialogue on marriage

January 08, 2015

Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg, Florida, has urged respectful dialogue on the nature of marriage, in the wake of the state’s court-ordered recognition of same-sex unions.

In a column published in the Tampa Bay Times, Bishop Lynch called attention to the Catholic teaching on sacramental marriage, and said the defense of that teaching “is to be commended and supported.” At the same time, he said, the Church must “recognize that the reality of the family today, in all its complexities, presents the church with pastoral challenges as the church strives to accept people in the specific circumstances of their lives and support and encourage them in their search for God and their desire to be members of the church.”

The column by Bishop Lynch contrasted with an earlier message from Miami’s Archbishop Thomas Wenski to archdiocesan employees, reminding them that the standards of conduct for Church workers bar public support for legal recognition of same-sex unions.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Column: Church needs patience, humility in light of same-sex marriage (Tampa Bay Times)
• Miami archbishop warns Church employees against public support for same-sex marriage (CWN, 1/7)