CAN
HOMOSEXUALS MARRY ONE ANOTHER? *** The Catholic Church doesn’t believe that this is permissible nor should a same-sex couple adopt children. Not all human wants can be satisfied. Denmark was the first country to give legal recognition to homosexual couples, in 1989; it was also the first to allow them to adopt children, at least those of their spouses. Other countries are moving in the same direction. Marriage should remain an alliance between a man and a woman. It is better to use the terms ‘marriage’ and ‘spouse’ when referring to heterosexual couples, and speak of ‘partners’ when they are of the same sex. Bishops are opposed to homosexual marriages. Such marriages are contrary to natural law and the Judaeo-Christian concept of life and marriage. Legislation in favor of same-sex marriages is the first step towards legalizing their right to adopt children. We can easily imagine the consequences for the society of tomorrow, if children are raised by parents of the same sex. Children of today already deal with difficult and confusing societal pressures as they develop their sexuality and they need the reassurance that natural law is still being upheld. We have to resist certain pressure groups. This was the Pope’s message to European leaders recently. What is at stake is too important. The Pope speaks of erratic tendencies concerning natural law. Speaking of same-sex couples, he used the word ‘incongruity’. They cannot transmit life, according to God’s plan. Moreover, in such relationships, the union of body and mind as planned by our Creator cannot take place. Respectful of the Bible and natural law, the Church tells us that marriage is an alliance between a man and a woman, not between two people of the same sex (Code of Canon Law, Can. 1055).
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