Same-sex unions

The Latest

Fr. Timothy Radcliffe addressing the bishops of the Catholic Church in England and Wales

Controversial Dominican priest to lead October retreat for bishops at start of synod

Jan 23, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Father Timothy Radcliffe, whose statements on homosexuality have previously sparked controversy, will lead a three-day retreat to kick off the... Read more

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, following the final vote on the Respect for Marriage Act in Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 2022.

House passes same-sex marriage bill in final vote, sending it to Biden’s desk

Dec 8, 2022

By Katie Yoder

A total of 219 Democrats, along with 39 Republicans, voted “yea” to the bill. One hundred sixty-nine Republicans voted against... Read more

null

House expected to pass same-sex marriage bill Thursday

Dec 7, 2022

By Katie Yoder

The bill, which would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and recognize same-sex marriages on a federal level, has ... Read more

null

‘Gravely disappointed’: U.S. bishops respond to passage of the same-sex marriage act

Dec 1, 2022

By Peter Pinedo

Bishop Robert Barron authored a statement urging members of Congress to reject the “misnamed” Respect for Marriage Act passed by... Read more

null

What the same-sex marriage vote means for Catholics

Nov 30, 2022

By Edie Heipel

With Congress now poised to enshrine same-sex marriage into federal law — largely thanks to Senate Republicans — opponents of... Read more

null

Senate passes same-sex marriage bill, sending it back to the House

Nov 29, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The present bill would not require any state to allow same-sex couples to marry, but would require states to recognize... Read more

U.S. Capitol, Senate side, public domain.

Federal same-sex marriage bill still needs religious freedom fixes, bishops say

Nov 23, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

A pending same-sex marriage bill would "betray our country’s commitment to the fundamental right of religious liberty,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan... Read more

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, chair of the USCCB religious liberty committee

U.S. bishops say religious freedom protections in same-sex marriage bill are ‘insufficient’

Nov 17, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The nation’s Catholic bishops reaffirmed the Church’s teaching on marriage after a majority of U.S. Senators voted for a bill... Read more

null

Senate advances same-sex marriage bill amid religious freedom concerns

Nov 16, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The “Respect for Marriage Act,” if ultimately signed into law by President Joe Biden, would repeal the Defense of Marriage... Read more

Lorie Smith is challenging a Colorado law that would require her to design websites celebrating same-sex marriages.

Supreme Court to hear case of designer who won’t create websites for same-sex weddings 

Oct 6, 2022

By Edie Heipel

Lorie Smith is challenging a Colorado state law for her right to refuse creative services when they conflict with her... Read more

null

Vote to enshrine same-sex marriage delayed until after midterms

Sep 15, 2022

By Edie Heipel

The bill, titled the Respect for Marriage Act, follows the House version that was passed earlier in July.  Read more

Archbishop Justin Welby in Łódź, Poland, July 21, 2016.

As Anglican bishops gather, deep divisions over statement on banning same-sex marriage emerge

Jul 26, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Following criticism from Anglican bishops, participants in the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England will be given the opportunity to “clearly... Read more

Alex Shingleton and Landon Duyka deliver a 'Gospel reflection' during Mass at Old St. Patrick's in Chicago, Ill., June 19, 2022.

Can laity preach at Mass? Chicago parish offers pulpit to same-sex couple

Jun 22, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A Chicago Catholic parish is facing questions after the pastor allowed a couple in a same-sex marriage to offer a... Read more

Lorie Smith, owner and founder of 303 Creative.

US bishops file brief supporting web designer who objects to gay marriage

Jun 21, 2022

By Maisy Sullivan

The U.S. bishops are coming to the aid of a Colorado web designer, a Christian who fears prosecution under state... Read more

null

Michigan pressure on Catholic adoption agencies backfires, costs $800,000 in legal fees

Mar 22, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Michigan officials tried to bar funds for Catholic child placement agencies. Instead, they are paying at least $800,000 in legal... Read more

Chad and Melissa Buck. Image via Becket Fund.

Catholic adoption agency in Michigan wins settlement allowing it to operate in accord with the faith

Jan 25, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A Catholic adoption agency in Michigan reached a settlement with the state on Tuesday which will allow the agency to... Read more

A same-sex wedding cake topper.

Monks bow out of Illinois Catholic school after controversy over coach in same-sex union

Jan 6, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

After a Chicago-area Catholic high school bowed to protests and hired a lacrosse coach in a same-sex marriage, the Benedictine... Read more

Barronelle Stutzman, a Christian and florist from Washington state who was sued after declining to create flower arrangements for a same-sex marriage.

Washington florist who declined to serve same-sex wedding will pay settlement, retire

Nov 18, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

A Christian florist who was sued after declining to create flower arrangements for a same-sex wedding ceremony and subsequently spent... Read more

Same-sex wedding cake.

Swiss voters back same-sex marriage

Sep 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

Around 64% of voters approved the measure. Read more

A same-sex wedding cake topper.

Catholic school in Illinois hires coach in same-sex marriage, reversing earlier decision

Sep 24, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

A Catholic school in suburban Chicago this week reversed a previous decision not to hire a coach who is civilly... Read more