Must a Catholic oppose gay rights legislation, such as legislation that permits civil marriage for same-sex couples or allows adoption by LGBT persons?
• The usages of society are to be the usages of freedom in their full range. These require that the freedom of the human person be respected as far as possible and curtailed only when and insofar as necessary. Vatican II Declaration on Religious Freedom, n.7 • It is not the direct function of the Church to create a social order, any more than it is the direct function of the state to save souls. John Courtney Murray, The Problem of State Religion, Theological Studies, 12, (1951) • [T]here are studies which have had some success in demonstrating that the decriminalization of homosexuality and the adoption of gay and lesbian rights ordinances do not have an appreciable effect on the general populations willingness to enter into marriage, to raise families, and to do both of these without interference; nor do they entail more public solicitation, an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, or other negative consequences so often detailed in parliamentary debates and arguments of opponen
Related Questions
- Does civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples affect churches or other religious institutions? What if my religion opposes same-sex relationships?
- Is the proposed legislation within the exclusive legislative authority of the Parliament of Canada?
- Are the marriages performed before the referendum valid?
