Marriage Briefings

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Dec. 16 : Religious Freedoms in Jeopardy

The Catholic News Service reports that a "sexual orientation" antidiscrimination statute under consideration in Britain could make it unlawful for the Catholic Church to require that priests be male and celibate.
The Catholic bishops of England and Wales said they could be at risk of prosecution under a proposed law unless they accept women, sexually active gays and transsexuals as candidates to the priesthood. They made their claims in a briefing for Catholic members of the House of Lords, Britain's upper political chamber, ahead of a scheduled Dec. 15 debate on the Equality Bill, which aims to stamp out discrimination in the workplace.

According to the briefing, a copy of which was obtained by Catholic News Service Dec. 8, the government definition will, in effect, make it "unlawful to require a Catholic priest to be male, unmarried or not in a civil partnership, etc., since no priest would be able to demonstrate that their time was wholly or mainly spent either leading liturgy or promoting and explaining doctrine."

For the complete story, click here.

The following is commentary on this story by CatholicCulture.org:

The Church teaches that there are cases in which it is permissible and cases in which it is obligatory to discriminate. The [Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith] sounded the call to arms seventeen years ago: "Where a matter of the common good is concerned, it is inappropriate for Church authorities to endorse or remain neutral toward adverse legislation even if it grants exceptions to Church organizations and institutions." The bishops -- not only in Britain -- failed to rally and fight for this ground. Having ceded the main pass to the Church's adversaries, they can hardly be shocked to learn that the war has moved beneath their own windows.

For the full commentary, click here.

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Pennsylvania for Marriage recognizes the threat that exists to religious liberties with the passage of same-sex "marriage". A constitutional amendment defining marriage to be between husband and wife protects the religious freedoms of all Pennsylvanians.

For more information, visit www.PA4Marriage.org or call 717-657-4990 x106.

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Nov. 17 : Same-Sex Marriage Makes No Sense

There are a number of reasons why redefining marriage is not a good idea. In a recent article by Dr. Jeff Mirus, he boils them down to two:

1. ...The concept of marriage is totally evacuated of its meaning whenever marital status is ascribed to two persons of the same sex. When reduced to its bare minimum in the order of nature, marriage is the permanent union of a man and a woman for the procreation and rearing of children. Since two men, or two women, are by their nature incapable of joining together to generate children, they cannot be the proper subjects of marriage.

2. Society will gain no benefit from doing so. Heterosexual marriage generates families which constitute the fundamental unit of the social order. This is a great benefit to society as a whole. Indeed, it is the sine qua non of society, and it is a benefit provided at considerable sacrifice on the part of the married couple. In return for this benefit, all societies foster, encourage and protect marriage in various ways, including laws which make it financially easier for married couples to maintain their families. This arrangement is based on a quid pro quo which cannot be duplicated by same-sex couples.

Click here for the complete story.

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Pennsylvania for Marriage agrees with Dr. Mirus that marriage needs to be preserved as the union of husband and wife. As more and more activists work to redefine marriage through the courts and legislatures, now is the time to allow the people of Pennsylvania to join 31 other states to determine the future of this institution.For more information visit www.PA4Marriage.org or call 717-657-4990 x106.

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Nov. 4 : Maine Voters Affirm Marriage, Join 30 Other States!

Marriage between husband and wife was a big winner again at the ballot box when the people of Maine joined with 30 other states to preserve traditional marriage. Citizens exercised a "People's Veto," after having same-sex marriage foisted on them by a legislature and governor that failed to protect marriage. The citizenry spoke loud and clear that Mainers don't want anyone tampering with marriage.

According to the Associated Press, Maine's secretary of state announced that voter turn out was higher than normal for an "off year" election, reporting that voter interest was "intense."

With this action, there are now only five remaining states that allow same-sex marriage--- Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut; all of which have done so through mandated judicial or legislative action.

Click here for the complete report.

Pennsylvania for Marriage applauds the voters of Maine in their determination to return marriage to its rightful place as the union of husband and wife. As the Associated Press reported, voter interest in important issues like same-sex marriage, encourages citizens to come out and vote. From Maine to California, the people have spoken. Let's give the people of Pennsylvania the same opportunity.

For more information visit www.PA4Marriage.org or call 717-657-4990 x106.

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Oct. 22 : Same-Sex Marriage: What's the Downside? Part 2

In last week's brief, Bishop Harry Jackson talked about four potential outcomes society can anticipate when traditional marriage is redefined. This week's final four focuses on the effects same-sex marriage may have on our children, our economy and our religious liberties:

5. Motherless/Fatherless families: Study after study confirms that children are best served when raised by their biological married moms and dads. Same-sex marriages intentionally and permanently deny a child a mother or a father.

6. Confusion for Children: If the legalization of same-sex marriage makes heterosexual marriage less attractive, children will learn that marriage doesn't really matter. In fact, says Jackson, schools will have to teach "that homosexual relationships are identical to heterosexual ones."

7. Economic Hardship: Legal recognition of same-sex marriage will force to businesses to provide benefits to same-sex couples. Jackson says, "This will broadly affect every US citizen as our consumer goods and services will increase due to the increase cost of benefits that companies (large or small) will have to bear."

8. Attack on Religious Liberties: "Once a law has been made, the interpretation of that law is managed by the court system," adds Jackson, and consequently "Religious schools, colleges, and organizations might face becoming stripped of their tax-exempt status if they do not hire and admit homosexuals. Social workers, psychologists, counselors and other professionals could have their licenses revoked because they have chosen to 'discriminate' against homosexuals."

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