"I do not wish to lend our voice to notions which might suggest that same-sex couples are a threat incapable of sharing relationships marked by love and holiness and, thus, incapable of contributing to the edification of both the church and the wider society. In the midst of changing societal definitions and understandings of marriage, there may no doubt be some confusion. However, with patience and humility, our church must continuously strive to discover what the spirit is saying and respond to the Synod Fathers' suggestion to discern what pastoral response faithful to church teaching and marked by respect and sensitivity might be appropriate for same-sex couples, even as God's creative designs for and the church's sacramental understanding of marriage are affirmed." -
Bishop Robert Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida, writing for the
Tampa Bay Times.
A spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign reacts: "These contradictory narratives cause a bit of whiplash for Catholic Floridians. In Miami, Catholics are told they can’t even publicly congratulate their LGBT loved ones celebrating marriages today. Yet across the state in St. Petersburg, the Church’s message is one of compassion celebrating the love and value of same-sex couples. I can tell you it wouldn’t take long for me to decide which of these church leaders’ sermons I’d prefer to hear."
RELATED: See yesterday's edict from the
Miami Archdiocese.
Labels: Catholic Church, Florida, marriage equality, religion
