Unprecedented coalition of religious leaders call Americans to stand for sanctity of life, marriage, and religious freedom

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Comments: 17

Washington D.C., Nov 20, 2009 / 06:21 am (CNA).- An unprecedented coalition of prominent Christian clergy, ministry leaders, and scholars has crafted a 4,700-word declaration addressing the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and religious liberty. The declaration issues “a clarion call” to Christians to adhere to their convictions and informs civil authorities that the signers will not “under any circumstance” abandon their Christian consciences.

The statement, called “the Manhattan Declaration,” has been signed by more than 125 Catholic, Evangelical Christian, and Orthodox leaders, and will be made fully public at a noon press conference in the National Press Club in Washington DC on Friday.

“We are Christians who have joined together across historic lines of ecclesial differences to affirm our right—and, more importantly, to embrace our obligation—to speak and act in defense of these truths. We pledge to each other, and to our fellow believers, that no power on earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence,” the statement says.

“We recognize the duty to comply with laws whether we happen to like them or not, unless the laws are gravely unjust or require those subject to them to do something unjust or otherwise immoral,” the signatories explain.

But they also made clear that “we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriage or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family.”

The Manhattan Declaration is the result of several months of dialogue among Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christian leaders culminating in a gathering of approximately 100 leaders in New York City on September 28, 2009.

Attendees considered an early draft of the “Manhattan Declaration, A Call of Christian Conscience,” but the document was entrusted to a drafting committee that included Dr. Timothy George of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, Dr. Robert P. George of Princeton University, and renowned Evangelical leader Charles Colson.

The signatories explained that they speak now because in order "to defend principles of justice and the common good that are now under assault."

"We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but we will under no circumstances render to Caesar what is God’s."

The signatories of the Manhattan Declaration explain that although public sentiment has moved in a pro-life direction, "pro-abortion ideology prevails in many places of power and influence."

"Our government promotes and funds scientific research in which the lives of tiny human beings in the early embryonic states of development are treated as disposable research material."

They also contend that "public policies contribute to the weakening of the institution of marriage, including the discredited idea of unilateral divorce," while "influential individuals and organizations are seeking to redefine marriage to embrace same-sex partnerships and to recognize multiple-party sexual unions that are beyond same-sex marriage.”

Signatories of the declaration include Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia; Cardinal Adam Maida, Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit; Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Denver; Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York; Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, D.C.; John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark; John Nienstedt, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis; Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City; Joseph E. Kurtz, Archbishop of Louisville; Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix; Michael J. Sheridan, Bishop of Colorado Springs; Salvatore Joseph Cordileone, Bishop of Oakland; Richard J. Malone, Bishop of Portland; and David A. Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh.

Other signatories include Metropolitan Jonah Paffhausen, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America; Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola, Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria; Jody Bottum, Editor of First Things; Chuck Colson, Founder of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview; Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List; Dr. James Dobson, Founder of Focus on the Family; Dr. William Donohue, President of the Catholic League; Most Rev. Robert Wm. Duncan, Primate of the Anglican Church in North America; Fr. Joseph D. Fessio, Founder and Editor of Ignatius Press; Maggie Gallagher, President of Institute for Marriage and Public Policy; Dr. Robert P. George; Fr. Chad Hatfield, Archpriest of St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary; Jerry Jenkins, Chairman of the board of trustees for Moody Bible Institute; Jim Kushiner, Editor of Touchstone; Dr. Richard Land, President of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC; Rev. William Owens, Chairman of the Coalition of African-American Pastors; Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council; Michael Timmis, Chairman of Prison Fellowship International; Juan Valdes, Chaplain of Florida Christian School and George Weigel, Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

The full document will be available http://www.manhattandeclaration.org/ following the press conference.

Comments: 17

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Jean F Jenkins
Aurora, CO USA 12/09/2009 01:15 AM EST

Iam signing this because of the pro-life issues. The sanctity of life are of utmost important to me.

Published by: Katherine McGraw
Pasadena, CA 91103 12/05/2009 02:54 PM EST

Aren't a few of these signatories among those who signed the Project for a New American Century, the very same Neocons who banged the drums loudly inviting us to invade Iraq? What about their involvement in the Iran Contra debacle? How about if we ask a few questions before signing on to any manifestos. Just ask someone at Parsons here in Pasadena.

Published by: Jean
USA 11/24/2009 03:08 PM EST

I dont believe they do sanction abuse in a marriage. The Catholic Church does not condone abuse in a marriage either. They do have a point about the divorce rate in this country though? I think this is one of the concerns about the high rate today. Your right God wouldnt condone abuse either and Im sure these the people on the Manhattan Declaration are aware of this to. ...the discredited idea of unilateral divorce." What?! You mean that a man who hits and controls his wife & children should be allowed to prevent her from divorcing him? That is crazy. Crazy! And it is not a God-ordained plan, nor is it "God's Best." God's ideal would throw his a** in jail etc etc. Sometimes, cooler heads in "Caesar's" government do prevail. It's not US vs. THEM, it's US TOGETHER.

Published by: Peter The Saint
CA/USA 11/22/2009 12:58 AM EST

Rate: Regular

"...the discredited idea of unilateral divorce." What?! You mean that a man who hits and controls his wife & children should be allowed to prevent her from divorcing him? That is crazy. Crazy! And it is not a God-ordained plan, nor is it "God's Best." God's ideal would throw his a** in jail etc etc. Sometimes, cooler heads in "Caesar's" government do prevail. It's not US vs. THEM, it's US TOGETHER.

Published by: Joan L. Roccasalvo
Bronx 11/21/2009 06:26 PM EST

This joint declaration proclaims boldly and unabashedly morality based on the natural law. It is the natural law that needs to be taught and repeated and taught again until its opponents finally grasp it as innate common sense.

Published by: Arden
White/Georgia/USA 11/21/2009 10:50 AM EST

Divorce is simply the breaking of your agreement with God. God does not break his agreements. I have kept my agreement for 57 years and will continue so long as we both shall live. It is a matter of choice and the rewards will be dealt out accordingly. Responsibility........

Published by: jay everett
cartersville/georgia/usa 11/21/2009 10:43 AM EST

Morals are the backbone of a successful life and if abused lead to sorrow and sadness. And remember one thing--Religion is the glue that holds the world together!

Published by: Alan Fava
The Woodlands, TX 11/20/2009 11:09 PM EST

Just wondering if there are any Episcopal clergy signees.

Published by: His Prince Michael
Flagstaff, AZ 11/20/2009 08:00 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Be not mistaken: The House of David categorically rejects and condemns this fraudulent and superficial glorified publicity-stunt contrived by self-anointed "Religious" Leaders. Like their TRUE brethren of biblical-days, the Pharisees, they've covertly-colluded and served Political and Economic powers. Hence, establishing themselves as ETERNAL enemies of the ANOINTED House of David. MARK 7;7 Vs. John 7;7..THE LORD, be magnified!

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 11/20/2009 04:40 PM EST

Karl: Not everyone who are divorced by choice. I had a very good Catholic friend who killed himself because he refused to be divorced. But you are right on some do get divorced for lousy reasons. I have to agree with Danielle. Bob Mitchell: I do not know why your Archbishop Cardinal DiNardo's name was not on the list. He was the first cardinal to speak against Nortre Dame University's invitation of BHO and giving him an honorable doctoral degree. On October 4, His Eminence was in Washington DC to lecture the Vice President and all the Supreme Court Justices on the pro-life issue. I was surprised that all the Obama's politicians and appointees would even come and listen Cardinal DiNardo's homily so attentively. I read his speech over and over a few times and I found that he is very convincing and not too much religiously overtone. This newest American cardinal is a brave warrior although he does not fight with dangerous violent weapon. Trust your cardinal, he has his own tactics and strategy. He is not like the former New York shameless cardinal who bent himself backward to invite Obama for a dinner if you know whom I am talking about.

Published by: Karl
USA 11/20/2009 04:00 PM EST

Unjust divorce is indeed a GRAVE sin and is MORTAL if the conditions for mortal sin are met. If a person chooses to not seek out those conditions, they incur increased culpability. You have been sold and bought a bill of goods that is at the heart of many of the problems in the Catholic Church and society at large. Modernism. No one said people are not human. But people who echo your statements, much more often than not, do grave harm as you infect others with your "feel good" errors, which neglect justice in favor of false charity. You are DEAD WRONG when you say that to remarry is a sin and to divorce is not. To remary increases the already grave sin that is ALWAYS INVOLVED when a divorce is not carefully discerned, is not formally justified, and reconciliation is not a viable option that is worked at. No one has said that human dignity is lost by a bad decision but the human dignity of all involved, the abandoned spouse, the children, the friends, the entire body of Christ and all humanity suffers a neglet of THEIR dignity with EVERY SINGLE UNJUST DIVORCE. You should stop being so concerned with the malicious abandoners and be MORE concerned with their VICTIMS. If you do not, you are part of the problem and not part of the solution.

Published by: Mike Daniel
Magnolia, AR USA 11/20/2009 03:29 PM EST

In most human institutions there is a measure of guilt, but in Christian institutions there must be grace, the same grace we all hope and pray for. Priests and preachers must all proclaim the Truth from the pulpit, but it is up to individuals to make their choices. That means preaching divorce for what it is - brokenness - but never suggesting even for a moment that there is no restorative hope for redemption. The Church can - and must - stand firm in her principles, but we are all ultimately responsible for our own behavior and choices. Barring the doors and screening individuals before they can be allowed to enter the sanctuary has no biblical foundation.

Published by: William James
Sacramento/ CA/USA 11/20/2009 02:09 PM EST

Fifty years of accomodation has failed. This huge declaration is exactly what was needed now. Without attempting to take power away from the government, the signatories have claimed their own power as Christian leaders. It is a prudent document, directed by the Holy Spirit, and outstandingly ecumenical. Pious Christians are still at least 25% of the population. Forty percent of our soldiers are Evangelicals, and 60% are conservative or very conservative. The title "Manhattan Declaration" suggests the Manhattan Project or, figuratively, a "nuclear option." A wise government would take heed and avoid a potentially destabilizing confrontation.

Published by: Bob Mitchell
houston, tx, usa 11/20/2009 01:47 PM EST

did anyone see Cardinal DiNardo's name - the new head of USCCB committee for Pro-Life Issues

Published by: Stephen
USA 11/20/2009 10:50 AM EST

An impressive and auspicious group of Catholic Bishops and Christian leaders to hopefully light a spark in America today to encourage Americans to take a stand on very important issues that affect the entire nation and the future well being of America. It kind of gives a new meaning to the statement united we stand, divided we fall.

Published by: Danielle
USA 11/20/2009 10:05 AM EST

In response to the comment posted by Karl: People who have freely chosen to divorce still have to be loved and respected because they are HUMAN, created in the image of God. The dignity of each human person is not something that can be lost through one bad decision or even a series of bad decisions. Please also note, excommunication can only used in cases where a mortal sin has been committed. Getting a divorce is not a mortal sin; it would however be a mortal sin to re-marry once you are already married to another. We must practice Christian charity towards all people no matter the poor decisions they may have made.

Published by: Karl
USA 11/20/2009 07:33 AM EST

Rate: Regular

Everyone rings their hands about how "terrible" divorce is yet they openly accept those who CHOOSE to divorce for lousy reasons and welcome their "poor wounded" brothers and sisters, as they persecute and enslave their abandoned spouses and cause their own children to be, in the majority of cases, very conflicted, many times loosing their faith. It is time unjust divorcees were treated like the ANIMALS that they are, until they repent and make resitution. If they choose not too, all religions should refuse them support and comfort, till they face what they have done. If these "leaders" do not support such disciplines then they are empty wordsmyths. Their words are then garbage to be discarded. There are plenty of "premarital" programns everywhere. people complain that they are asked too much, people complain that they are told too little. These "people" act as if they were children who are like reeds in the wind. It is THEIR choice to marry, grow up, make it work and live faithfully in solitary union with your spouse. More emphasis needs to be put upon accountability for those who abandon their marriages and for help for those who seek it when they see their marriages are in trouble. Rather, now, these ANIMALS are usually the ones who are rewarded, when they should be placed on the margins of society for the GOOD of society and in hope, not in vengeful punishment, that they will repent. The Catholic Church needs to make LIBERAL USE OF FORMAL EXCOMMUNICATIONS!

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