Supreme Court Marriage Decision
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On June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court in Obergefell vs. Hodges ruled on two marriage questions: (1) Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex? and (2) Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state? To each question, the Court answered 'Yes.'
Below are some important and hopefully helpful talking points related to the Supreme Court decision, provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Additionally, the links below provide related information and resources for responding to the decision at the parish and family level.
The Court is wrong: the Constitution does not require states to redefine marriage.
The Court issued a ruling that attempts to redefine marriage throughout the country and force states to recognize marriages between two people of the same sex that occurred in another state.
The question we must ask ourselves is not "what is marriage equality?" but rather, "what is marriage?" Marriage, as defined by the Catholic Church, is the union of one man and one woman with the purpose of procreation.
Changing the definition of civil marriage affects thousands of laws; it endangers the religious freedoms of individuals and institutions.
Resources:
- Read statements from U.S. Bishops following the Supreme Court decision via USCCB
- Church Teaching on marriage and same-sex attraction
- For Your Marriage
- National Pastoral Initiative for Marriage
- FAQ
- Videos
- Video statement by Most Reverend Bishop Robert J. Cunningham, Diocese of Syracuse
- Why the Church Cannot Endorse Same-Sex Marriage
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