Abp. Listecki: DOMA ruling has no effect on Catholic teaching

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki responded to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision today striking down a portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, saying that it "in no way changes Church teaching with regard to the sacrament of marriage."

"The recognition of marriage, understood by the Catholic Church as involving one man and one woman, long precedes Christianity. But since the Church’s earliest days, Christians have professed a firm commitment to that natural and sacramental institution."

“This is a sad day for the sacrament of marriage, when the U.S. Supreme Court redefines the institution as something other than what God created,” said Listecki. “Marriage between a man and a woman is life-giving and is foundational to civil society. It needs to be strengthened, not redefined.

"The Catholic Church also opposes any and all unjust discrimination against, or mistreatment of, homosexuals. Neither their personhood nor their dignity is being questioned. The heart of the question, in fact, is the defense and preservation of the public institutions and the common vision for human flourishing upon which any free and just democracy directly depends."

The Supreme Court's decision paves the way for same-sex married couples to receive federal benefits. However, a narrow ruling in a related California case leaves gay marriage bans in place in other states, including Wisconsin.

via JS