Requiring heterosexuality for marriage is not discriminatory, say bishops

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 6

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov 7, 2009 / 07:56 pm (CNA).- The executive committee of the Bishops’ Conference of Argentina has called on the National Parliament to protect authentic marriage based on the union between one man and one woman.

“To affirm heterosexuality as a requirement for marriage is not to discriminate, but rather to start from an objective point that is its presupposition. The contrary would be to ignore its essence, that is, that which it is,” the bishops said.

The heterosexuality of marriage is not a private matter or religious choice, they stressed, “but a reality that has its roots in the very nature of the human person, who is male and female.”

The bishops recalled that this natural reality precedes positive law, and for this reason it is the duty of lawmakers to legally protect marriage, which is the foundation of the family. Both, they said, have been protected from the very beginnings of humanity by civilized society.

The Argentinian bishops then affirmed that the diversity and reciprocity between man and woman becomes even “the foundation for a healthy and necessary sexual education.”

“It would not be possible to educate boys or girls about sexuality without a clear understanding of the sexual meaning or language of the body. These aspects that refer to sexual diversity and to the beginnings of life were always taken into consideration as a basis for legislation when defining the essence and purpose of marriage,” the bishops said.

For this reason, the bishops urged that marriage be protected as “a good of humanity” and that sincere dialogue take place amidst “the difficult task of legislating on these issues.”

Comments: 6

Subscriber comments:

Published by: John Mijac
Tucson, AZ USA 11/17/2009 04:02 PM EST

OK Dan Aquinas (a brave nom de plume), should old or infertile people not marry simply because they cannot bear children? Your argument is specious and ignores the fact that the increases and creativity you refer to are not limited to heterosexuals. In fact, if we are to infer that the holy increase you speak of can come from art or any other creative endeavor of the human heart and soul you will find the ranks of human creators packed with homosexual s. What about gay unions which include children? Giving love and support to others without gain to one’s self is a form of divine increase. I and my husband of 16 years have raised two boys (both of which are straight) and we have five grandchildren. We love and support all of them. I do not ask the church to sanctify my marriage with my partner because God has already done that for me. I do ask the state to give us the same rights any other parents have: To pass on our property to our children without question, and to be able to care for and visit our spouse when one is sick. These rights of Civil Marriage have very spiritual underpinnings; there is everything right with taking care of the ones you love. So why is it that others worry so much about what might (or might not) happen in the bedroom? Whether or not gay men and women are married, their sexual activities will remain unchanged. What will change with the possibility of Civil Marriage for GLBT people is their ability to support and care for their families.

Published by: Dan Aquinas
Minnetonka, MN 11/13/2009 12:59 AM EST

We should love as God loves. One attribute (or result) of how God loves is fruitfulness. Anything God loves seems to increase. A homosexual "marriage" cannot be fruitful, will not produce an increase, according to how God designed the human body to be, and so it would seem reasonable to conclude a homosexual "marriage" is *not* the way God intended people to love.

Published by: Robertz
USA 11/09/2009 06:51 PM EST

Madison, gays already have the same right to marry. The same as any other person in this country. The definition of marriage is that of one man, and one woman. Gays are fully free to marry according to what marriage actually is. Not what you wish to turn marriage into according to your perversion. Stop being a bigot, Madison, against those who hold to truth.

Published by: Madison WI Realtor
Madison WI 11/09/2009 04:18 PM EST

Of course it's discriminatory! What could be more obvious? The constitution says that ALL men are created equal, not some are more equal than others. U.S. states should not even be voting on this matter. It goes without saying, in my opinion, that gays should have the same rights - including the right to marry - as everyone else. It is really disconcerting how slow the church is to pick up on that fact. What could be more Christian than accepting and loving others, even those who are different from ourselves? Seems to me that the church needs to learn tolerance and start preaching it or they are going to die out or be reduced to a small group of narrow-minded bigots.

Published by: DLL
scituate Mass 11/08/2009 08:01 PM EST

Anal sex and sodomy are sins. In the homosexual relations this is the way that they enjoy sex. Sinful sexual activity is not a good basis for "Marriage". In a heterosexual relationship anal sex and sodomy is a sin. If I were to go to confession guilty of these activities,I would confess them as sins. To be open to life is to have proper sexual relations between a man and a woman this is good sound teaching. This should be understood,our religious in the church,shouldn't have to feel they are justifying the church,in these basic teachings. Marriage is only between one man and one woman.

Published by: John Mijac
Tucson, AZ USA 11/07/2009 09:47 PM EST

This, from the people who imprisoned Galileo Galilei, the father of modern science for insisting natural reality was other than the Sun orbiting the Earth. Those same people who brought us the inquisition. To quote from the handbook for inquisitors: " ... quoniam punitio non refertur primo & per se in correctionem & bonum eius qui punitur, sed in bonum publicum ut alij terreantur, & a malis committendis avocentur." (~punish for the good of society to prevent others from following evil ways.) The statements above are spurious, and false by the Church's own records. It is laughable to suppose that legislation throughout the history of mankind has followed a logical, "civilized" and Jesuitical path. True enlightenment is found in the understanding that God is Love and that love between two humans is a good thing a Divine thing, whatever sex. Such love should be supported by all who would claim to Love God. At the very least, stay out of the way of people who would do no harm to others but to love each other. And please, resist the temptation to cast aspersions on others to hide your own sins.

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com