Irish cardinal urges opposition to homosexual civil unions

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Comments: 7

Armagh, Ireland, Aug 25, 2009 / 01:59 pm (CNA).- The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, spoke out last Sunday against recognizing civil unions for homosexuals during a homily at the Cathedral of St. John in Limerick. He said that natural law cannot be violated by legislative norms, and that natural law forms the basis for integral human development.

The cardinal recalled that nature must be used wisely, as Pope Benedict XVI explains in his encyclical “Caritas in Veritate.”

“The book of nature is one and indivisible. It takes in not only the environment but also life, sexuality, marriage, the family, social relations—in a word—integral human development. Our duties towards the environment are linked to our duties towards the human person, considered in himself and in relation to others. It would be wrong to uphold one set of duties while trampling on the other,” he said, quoting the Pope’s encyclical.

For this reason, Cardinal Brady urged the faithful to oppose a measure being debated in the Irish Parliament that would grant legal recognition to same-sex unions.

Cardinal Brady also argued that those who refuse to officiate at a same-sex "marriage" ceremony could be punished and described this as "an alarming attack on the fundamental principle of freedom of religion and conscience."

He added that the bill has the potential to allow religious organizations to be sued for "upholding their belief that marriage is an institution exclusively for men and women."

Comments: 7

Subscriber comments:

Published by: RL Rapuano
NY NY USA 08/30/2009 05:33 AM EST

To argue that because priests are sinners too (as are we all) and by extention the church has sinned and thus morally bankrupt does nothing to contribute for the arguement of gays to be allowed to marry. Secular tradition is that marriage is between a man and a woman. That most relgions agree with that notion (up until now) is very telling.

Published by: Diane
Edmonton 08/27/2009 02:40 PM EST

I will pray for all of you that posted here at church this weekend. May God forgive you for your ignorance.

Published by: Continuum
Memphis, TN, USA 08/26/2009 03:24 PM EST

To be lectured on morals from a man whose own church countenanced abuse of children in Irish institutions is laughable. This man would not even allow the victims of his church abuse to be present at the press conference where he announced his supposed deep sorrow. Was Cardinal Brady afraid that the victims would see his crocodile tears up close?

The Roman Catholic Bishops lost their moral authority long ago. They enabled predophile priests in both Ireland and the United States for decades. These same so-called holy men chastised, and denigrated the victims while merely transferring the offending priests to another parish.

The Roman Catholic Bishops concerned themselves with only money rather than the welfare of their flocks.

After all the damage these hypocrites have done, Cardinal Brady criticizes a civil equality. Instead, he should be on his knees begging forgiveness and probably in a prison cell for enabling the crimes of his priests against innocent children.

Published by: David
Chicago/Illinois/USA 08/26/2009 12:29 PM EST

Cardinal Brady should clarify what he means by "natural law" as homosexuality has been exhibited in over 1500 species spanning mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, all of which continue to thrive, save for human interference.

His argument for potential litigation is also weak. Is the Church subject to litigation for preaching non-belief in the Trinity is a sin? Are priests subject to litigation for not marrying Jews?

There are good arguments for this stance. These are simply not among them.

Published by: Disgusted American
Deptford NJ USA 08/26/2009 12:24 PM EST

The religious institutions NEED TOO STAY OUT OF CIVIL LAW..no gay person is asking to get married in your pedophile laiden churches! Keep your Man-made religious dogma OUT of OUR LAWS! ..I think its time to TAX the Churches!

Published by: Howard Mandel
Greentown, PA 08/26/2009 11:46 AM EST

Can someone point me the "book of nature" the cardinal referenced?

Published by: declan
boston/masachusetts/usa 08/26/2009 10:40 AM EST

I trust the majority of the Irish people have the good sense to continue to ignore the rantings of the Irish clergy.

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