The Prelates Speak

In response to my last post, a kind reader referred me to this blog of the USCCB in response to the unconscionable Obergefell decision. In fairness, I think it is good to link it here to show that, yes, many prelates are speaking out. The post references a statement from Archbishop Kurtz, also linked there:Archbishop Kurtz compared the decision to Roe v. Wade and how it doesn’t change the truth- which is “unchanged and unchangeable.” He continues on to say that, “Neither decision is rooted in the truth, and as a result, both will eventually fail. Today the Court is wrong again. It is profoundly immoral and unjust for the government to declare that two people of the same sex can constitute a marriage.”It is a deep truth that the human being is an embodied soul, male and female. The archbishop writes, “The unique meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is inscribed in our bodies as male and female” and notes that this is part of what Pope Francis has described as “integral ecology.” “The law has a duty to support every child’s basic right to be raised, where possible, by his or her married mother and father in a stable home.”The bishops follow Jesus Christ who taught these truths unambiguously, and the president of the USCCB encouraged Catholics to keep speaking for the truth and moving forward with the theological virtues of faith, hope and love. Archbishop Kurtz ended by saying, “I ask all in positions of power and authority to respect the God-given freedom to seek, live by, and bear witness to the truth.”His Grace Archbishop Carlson issued this statement: "The decision issued today by the Supreme Court to effectively change the legal definition of marriage in the United States does not alter the unassailable truth that marriage is, and always will be, the life-long, life-giving union of one man and one woman." These statements are necessary, of course. And it is not surprising that the press orgy over the destruction of marriage in the law should largely ignore them. This does not mean that all of the bishops' statements are as clear and forceful as they could be. Archbishop Cupich's statement is simply the worst, and basically cedes the field with a whimper. This does not explain the lack of discipline for Catholic politicians and judges who support this abomination. This does not explain a lack of clear and forceful teaching for decades, as we tumbled down the hill of dung we've piled up. Catholics, in the pews as well as in the chanceries, are about to be imprisoned and killed over this issue. We should act as though there is something wrong with that. What is there left to lose? The writing is on the wall, in letters forty feet high. And we're afraid to offend Anthony Kennedy?Some of these statements are a good start, but they must be backed up by a steely resolve. The faithful need leadership here, and the last five decades give some cause to wonder whether they'll get it.