We quote from a proclamation from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on, "Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons". This document was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect with the approval of Pope John Paul II. It is dated June 3rd 2003.
INTRODUCTION
1." In recent years, various questions relating to homosexuality have been addressed with some frequency by Pope John Paul II and by relevant Dicasteries of the Holy See. (1) Homosexuality is a troubling moral and social phenomenon, even in those countries where it does not present significant legal issues. It gives rise to greater concern in those countries that have granted or intend to grant - legal recognition to homosexual unions, which may include the possibility of adopting children. The present Considerations do not contain new doctrinal elements; they seek rather to reiterate the essential points on this question and provide arguments drawn from reason which could be used by Bishops in preparing more specific interventions, appropriate to the different situations throughout the world, aimed at protecting and promoting the dignity of marriage, the foundation of the family, and the stability of society, of which this institution is a constitutive element. The present considerations are also intended to give direction to Catholic politicians by indicating the approaches to proposed legislation in this area which would be consistent with Christian conscience. (2) Since this question relates to the natural moral law, the arguments that follow are addressed not only to those who believe in Christ, but to all persons committed to promoting and defending the common good of society".
Between this introduction and the conclusion which will be given at the end of this piece we want to make some observations which relate directly to the good of the family. This entire article can be downloaded by accessing the website of "The Holy See". We must preface any remarks made by the observation that Almighty God has made all human beings in His image and likeness, that He loves each one of us as His own children.. However, although we have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, The tendency to sin, concupiscence, remains. The Holy Catholic Church provides the grace needed to oppose our sinful inclinations by the seven sacraments that were made available by Jesus passion and death. The Catholic Church teaches about the seven cardinal virtues and the seven capitol sins. The one we are addressing here is connected with the sixth commandment which is, "You shall not commit adultery". By extension it includes sins of fornication,(the intention in fornication is sterile although a child may be the result and abortion most likely follow), and masurbation and homosexual activity. Marriage, both in Holy Scripture and in the moral law and the natural law, is confined to a union of one man and one woman. The purposes of marriage are to be found in the unitive and the procreative. One depends upon the other. "You shall become one flesh". What God has joined man shall not seperate". The marriage bond is the same as the Bond between Christ and His Church for which he died.
The element lacking in the three extensions of the sixth commandment mentioned above is the procreative. Fornication, masturbation and homosexuality activity are all sterile as is the use of contraception within marriage. That is why they are all gravely sinful. We cannot replace God's commandments, His words in scripture and his laws with our own. The gift of our human sexuality must only be used within the bonds of marriage. Outside of marriage chastity must be observed. In our lives we have obscured the truth and have in many areas exchanged the real for the counterfeit. Our happiness in this world and our achieving eternal life depends on getting it right.
CONCLUSION
11. "The Church teaches that respect for homosexual persons cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions. The common good requires that laws recognize, promote and protect marriage as the basis of the family, the primary unit of society. Legal recognition of homosexual unions or placing them on the same level as marriage would mean not only the approval of deviant behavior, with the consequence of making it a model of present day society, but would also obscure basic values which belong to the common inheritance of humanity. The Church cannot fail to defend these values, for the good of men and women and for the good of society itself".
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