Statement on the Supreme Court Decision | Same Sex Marriage Ruling
“Grace Abounds”…Romans 5:20
In the midst of present day moral confusion and the cultural attack on the Christian way of life in the United States and around the world, there is a real temptation to discouragement and even despair. As the news continues to report the “victory lap” that is being taken by those who offer a different way of understanding marriage and sexuality, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal find great hope in the powerful presence of God at work in the countless couples, families, and individuals who are heroically faithful to the Gospel and the truth of marriage and sexuality according to God’s design. We also find great hope in those individuals who experience same sex attraction and have made the free, heroic and self-sacrificing choice to live the virtue of chastity in a culture where the alternative is in fact much easier and socially celebrated.
There are many questions being asked about the way forward for the Church as she faces the stark reality of these present day challenges and trials. As we have heard echoed over the past few days from the Bishops in the United States and from those who speak in fidelity with the Church and her teaching, Christ is the answer. Jesus who is the Truth (John 14:6) is our refuge, strength, consolation, and way forward. His Grace abounds in the midst of temptation, confusion, and darkness. His love is our response, the powerful statement that must be made to those who agree with the Church and also for those who disagree. In a time where a misguided compassion seems to dictate that true love and true religion not only should accept the sinner but also the sin, we with great respect and humility, boldly call for a renewed courageous witness among all Catholics, Christians and people of good will. This witness, modeled by Jesus, doesn’t tire of loving and showing genuine compassion to our brothers and sisters who experience same sex attraction and who are caught up in the challenges and difficulties of the current cultural crisis. However, at the same time we urge an ever more courageous proclamation of the truth of marriage and God’s beautiful plan for human sexuality.
In this pressing time, we pray for the intercession of our late founder Fr. Benedict Groeschel and his dear friend Fr. John Harvey, who was the founder of Courage, an outreach to those who experience same sex attraction and strive to freely choose to live a chaste way of life (http://couragerc.org/). We are inspired by their fidelity and commitment to the truth of the Church and the Gospel.
Statement by Courge Internatinal
Statement by the USCCB
