Providence Catholic bishop urges R.I. lawmakers to oppose legalizing same-sex marriage

[Eugene]

Source: Providence Journal

Providence Catholic bishop urges R.I. lawmakers to oppose legalizing same-sex marriage

January 7, 2013 12:34 pm
By Randal Edgar

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Calling it "immoral and unnecessary," Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin is urging state lawmakers to reject the latest proposal to legalize same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.

His latest column in the Rhode Island Catholic argues that marriage has existed "in every human culture from the very beginning of human history" and was "designed by God" to "affirm the complementary roles of males and females in a loving relationship" and "provide a stable foundation for the procreation and raising of children."

"Homosexual relationships can achieve neither of those goals" and "enshrines into civil law immoral activity," he writes.

Tobin's column, available online, also questions the logic of addressing the issue when the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on two cases later this year.

http://news.providencejournal.com/politics/2013/01/providence-catholic-bishop-urges-ri-lawmakers-to-oppose-legalizing-same-sex.html

[atreides1]

1. Which God?

Why do the rules of marriage have to based on the "design" of only one God?

[Buzz505]

2. The catholic religion is soooo loving and caring.

well just about money.

[Angry Dragon]

3. How come priests don't marry if it is so sacred??

[DreamGypsy]

4. The actual quote on marriage in the Bishop's 'opinion' is....

From: http://thericatholic.com/opinion/detail.html?sub_id=5472

The proposal to legalize same-sex marriage is an attempt to redefine the institution of marriage as it has existed in every culture from the very beginning of human history. Marriage between a man and a woman was designed by God for two specific purposes: to affirm the complementary roles of males and females in a loving relationship, and to provide a stable foundation for the procreation and raising of children. Homosexual relationships can achieve neither of those goals.

Evidently the Bishop is unaware, as I was until recently, of the Native American Two Spirit People and the roles their and their marriages played in their cultures. Those loving relationships affirmed the complementary roles among males and females and had, as one purpose, a stable foundation for the procreation and raising of children.

In the Lakota tribe, two-spirits commonly married widowers; a male-bodied two-spirit could perform the function of parenting the children of her husband's late wife without any risk of bearing new children to whom she might give priority.

Or (sarcasm) does the Bishop not recognize Native American cultures as part of "human history".


You can have your own opinions, Mr. Bishop, but you can't have your own set of facts.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

6. Of course he doesn't.

[Fearless]

5. Does the church pay taxes?

No? Then shut the hell up. I don't suggest sermon topics. You'd do well to not enter the political arena.

[Earth495]

7. RI is full of fake Democrats

This is the problem with RI. Sure, we're always one of the best states for Democrats for presidential elections, and we always overwhelmingly vote for liberals on the federal level, but our local politics is another story. Since we're a one party state EVERYONE runs as a Democrat regardless of their political beliefs. Due to this, many of our Democrats (especially in the Senate) are financial moderates and social conservatives. Bishop Tobin has a lot of these Democrats in his pocket. Due to this, I find it hard that RI will every legalize marriage equality without a court order. Thankfully if i managed to get by the Senate by 1 vote, Governor Chafee would never veto it. That wasn't the case with our last governor.

Ironically, in 2011 when the state legislature voted on our civil union bill, every Republican rep voted in favor of it and the only opposition came from Democrats.