As we celebrate the civil rights victory achieved today with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage, it’s important to remember that many, though not the majority, of Americans still believe, in sincerity, that this ruling has the potential to diminish the value of marriage between a man and a woman.
Archdiocese of Boston Cardinal Séan Patrick O’Malley issued such a statement today:
“As a citizen of the United States and a Catholic bishop, I am saddened by the Supreme Court decision on same sex marriage.
The institution of marriage understood in its human, moral and legal dimensions is a fundamental building block of any society. The protection of marriage and families is a shared responsibility for all of us.
In a pluralistic society we inevitability face disagreements about important political and legal questions. But our division over this question in its moral, political and legal significance is particularly painful.
Certainly every citizen of this land, regardless of their sexual orientation, deserves to be respected in their personal and civic life. But enshrining same sex marriage in our constitutional system of governance has dangers that may become fully evident only over time.
I can only express my disappointment with the decision and invite members of my own religious community to remember and reaffirm the fundamental truths of our faith about marriage. At the same time, faced with a decision that embodies a quite different understanding of the meaning of marriage than held by the Church, we should as citizens and Catholics both protect our own deeply held values and participate with civility and charity in the continuing national discussion about this decision.”
For many — including President Obama — understanding on this issue has “evolved.” Respect for other’s beliefs is, of course, essential in our free society and we appreciate the Archbishop’s position. However we believe that respect for traditional marriage has not diminished since same-sex marriage was passed more than a decade ago in Massachusetts, or in any other state that has since recognized marriage equality. We believe, in sincerity, the same will hold true for the rest of our country as we move forward together with this landmark victory for civil rights in America.
