Marriage Archives - Bishop Kevin Farrell

Catholic teaching on the Sacrament of Marriage

July 8, 2015 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

Catholic Teaching on the Sacrament of Marriage

In light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision finding same-sex marriage as a constitutional right, some Catholics feel confused and somewhat apprehensive. I would like to make several observations to put the situation in context.

Catholic teaching on the Sacrament of Marriage remains as it always has been: marriage is the sacred lifelong commitment of one man and one woman and is about creating new life and the next generation. This requires both a man and a woman. The SCOTUS ruling addresses the civil definition of marriage. It confirms same-sex marriage as a civil right.

The court’s ruling also ensures the First Amendment rights of religious organizations, holding that “Religions and those who adhere to religious doctrines may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere convictions that by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned.” (Page 27) The same section confirms our First Amendment rights to the free practice of religion.

Of course, there will be no same-sex marriages in Catholic churches. But, it is important to state that while the Catholic Church can never condone same-sex marriage, the Church makes clear that persons with a homosexual orientation “must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church Par. 2358) This acceptance of gay and lesbian people must be real and not merely symbolic. The Church, in her mission, is committed to reaching out to all people.

As a result of this action by SCOTUS, we know some are taking it as one more opportunity to characterize the Church and the Catholic faithful as bigots opposed to a fundamental human right guaranteed by the constitution. This is nothing new. In opposing the abortion rights granted by Roe vs. Wade, the Church is in a similar situation. Of course, we are not alone in our opposition.

There are those who see this as the oft referred to “slippery slope,” foreseeing dark days ahead for the Church in America. The Church has seen much darker days. It is no stranger to adversity. The New York Times (May 15, 2008) described Catholics as “a persecuted minority in colonial New York … denied all religious and civil liberties except for a few years in the 1680s when the Catholic Stuart monarchs ruled England.” The first Catholic parish was not established in New York until 1785.

Lord Calvert’s Maryland colony was composed of Catholics fleeing the English penal laws against the practice of Catholicism. Many German immigrants came to America seeking refuge from Bismarck’s Kulturkampf in the 1870s.

Yet a Christian consensus around biblical morality emerged.

President John Quincy Adams wrote, “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” That consensus has been destroyed, first by legislation and adjudication, and later by the recasting of biblical teachings on morality by some religious bodies.

As Catholics, our response to these legal and societal changes is still the same: to proclaim the gospel in word and deed and to witness the healing and forgiving love of Jesus. St. John Paul II pointed the way in his encyclical Redemptoris Missio, “The Church addresses people with full respect for their freedom. Her mission does not restrict freedom but rather promotes it. The Church proposes; she imposes nothing. She respects individuals and cultures, and she honors the sanctuary of conscience. To those who for various reasons oppose missionary activity, the Church repeats: Open the doors to Christ!”

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A response to the SCOTUS ruling on marriage

June 26, 2015 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling that redefines the civil definition of marriage. Marriage, as understood in the Catholic faith, has always been and still is the sacred lifelong commitment of one man and one woman. Marriage as the union of one man and one woman predates all nations, laws and constitutions. Marriage is not only a relationship of love between two persons who are committed to one another, but it is also about creating the next generation — this requires both a man and a woman.

The same Constitution that has now been held to open civil marriage to same-sex couples confirms and protects the Church’s right to carry forward the historic teaching of the Church regarding the Sacrament of Marriage.

As Catholics we believe in the dignity of each and every human being made in the image and likeness of God. As such, we accept all persons with respect, compassion, and sensitivity and must be mindful that, even in polarizing times, there is no place for derision or smugness. I pray that all persons who hold dear the civil liberties afforded by the United States Constitution will join us in working to safeguard the rights of people of faith to live and exercise that faith as they believe God requires.

I ask all to pray for the sanctity of the Sacrament of Marriage and to join me in continuing to always pray for our country.

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Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

A course in Reality 101 for Synod Fathers

October 8, 2014 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

At the beginning of each session of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops, the Synod Fathers receive some very valuable information. It comes from one of the 12 married couple auditors participating in this Synod who give their perspective on the pastoral needs of families based on their personal experience. It has been a course in Reality 101 for the Synod Fathers as the couples from all parts of the world share their intimate insights of conjugal spirituality, sexuality, birth control, children, including those who have chosen a gay or lesbian lifestyle and the pain of separation and divorce.

It is interesting to compare the approach to pastoral needs of the family at this Extraordinary Synod with the approach taken at the Second Vatican Council. To begin with, unlike the Synod, artificial birth control was taken off the table by Pope Paul VI. In comparison to the Extraordinary Synod’s 12 married couples, there was only one married couple among the auditors of Vatican II. They were Pepe and Luzma Alvarez-Icaza of Mexico City, who were present at the third and fourth sessions and contributed in committee meetings but not to the assembly of Council Fathers.

It would be unfair to imply that the bishops at the Synod had no understanding of the challenges faced by families today, but to hear such frank statements from couples from so many areas of the globe brings the reality of their pastoral need home in a strong manner. It also counters a tendency among many bishops to dismiss many difficulties faced by families as uniquely American.

Council Fathers at Vatican II did address the family, primarily in terms of conjugal spirituality, conjugal love and as primary educators of their children but did little to address the situations that are so pressing today that were not as center stage 50 years ago.

To his credit, Pope Francis asked for candor. It appears he is getting just that from the auditor couples. Please join me in continuing to pray for the success of this very important Synod.

Image Credit: CNS photo/Paul Haring

Pope Francis and the Marriage Journey

September 17, 2014 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

Marriage has been described as a “journey together to God.” Pope Francis chose this image in speaking to 20 couples he married last week in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Choosing the Bible passage that speaks of the Israelites long and wearisome journey to the Promised Land the Pope said, “This makes us think of families, our families, walking along the paths of life with all their day-to-day experiences. It is impossible to quantify the strength and depth of humanity contained in a family: mutual help, educational support, relationships developing as family members mature, the sharing of joys and difficulties.”

Recognizing that the family’s journey is not without difficulty the Holy Father noted that, like the Israelites, married couples “become impatient on the way, the way of conjugal and family life. The hardship of the journey causes them to experience interior weariness; they lose the flavor of matrimony and they cease to draw water from the well of the Sacrament. Daily life becomes burdensome”…some “succumb to the dangerous temptation of discouragement, infidelity, weakness, abandonment. To them too, God the Father gives His Son Jesus, not to condemn them, but to save them: if they entrust themselves to Him, He will bring them healing by the merciful love which pours forth from the cross.”

Family journeys have periods of darkness and of light, and while a couple’s companions change, parents die, children leave home, sickness intervenes, Jesus is always present. The Pope noted, “It is a demanding journey, at times difficult, and at times turbulent, but such is life! …It is normal for husband and wife to argue: it’s normal. It always happens. But my advice is this: never let the day end without having first made peace. Never! A small gesture is sufficient. Thus the journey may continue.”

“The love of Christ, which has blessed and sanctified the union of husband and wife, is able to sustain their love and to renew it when, humanly speaking, it becomes lost, wounded or worn out. The love of Christ can restore to spouses the joy of journeying together.”

Remember the promise of Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)

Image Credit: CNS photo/Paul Haring

SCOTUS is out of bounds

June 30, 2013 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

In an op-ed column Friday ,Washington’s Cardinal Donald Weurl in commenting on the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act pointed out that “Far from settling the debate over the meaning of marriage, the Supreme Court decisions have simply reminded all of us that there is a great difference between what a law can decree and what God has created.” (Washington Post, June 29, 2013)

It reminds us of the attempt in 1894 by the Indiana State Legislature to redefine pi in order to make it possible to square a circle. Fortunately the bill did not pass. The legislators recognized that even the government cannot change the laws of nature by fiat.

Unfortunately a majority of the justices on the Supreme Court failed to recognize that reality when it comes to marriage. Like the nature of a circle, the nature of marriage is not subject to governmental fiat. Marriage is not a creature of government and therefore is not subject to its jurisdiction.

Cardinal Wuerl further notes “Marriage is the word used in many translations across human history to signify the permanent, faithful and fruitful union of one man and one woman. It is the only institution that brings a man and a woman together in a partnership for life directed toward their mutual support and the generation and education of children. This is a human community that predates government.

“Marriage is not simply a committed relationship of any two adults, the Cardinal states, adding “No matter what a court, legislator, president or voter may claim to the contrary, the essence of marriage cannot be redefined. Its meaning is intrinsic, grounded in human nature and discoverable by human reason with or without the aid of faith.”

Government can address the legal consequences of any union and may choose to call it a marriage but as previously noted the action on the Supreme Court simply reminds us “that there is a great difference between what a law can decree and what God has created.”