Bishop Malloy issues letter to Catholics on Marriage

Date: November 8, 2013

en Español

Bishop David J. Malloy has asked all pastors of parishes in the Diocese of Rockford to read the following letter at all Masses this weekend.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I take this opportunity to address all of the faithful gathered at Mass this weekend. As you probably know, the Illinois legislature has voted this week to redefine marriage within our state, abandoning the understanding found in nature and in our faith that God has established this institution as a life-long commitment between one man and one woman. That commitment has written within it the joining of the differences of male and female, physical, psychological and spiritual, in a manner that alone can bring about new life and so the continuance of the human race.

Astonishingly, some of those who voted for this human redefinition did so by invoking Pope Francis or their Catholic faith. We must not allow ourselves to be deceived. This decision, however well intended, has no basis in nature and certainly not in the teaching or the practice of our Catholic faith. To quote Pope Francis when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and a similar bill was under consideration: “Let us not be naive: this is not simply a political struggle, but it is an attempt to destroy God’s plan. … [and] to confuse and deceive the children of God.”

Going forward, we must continue to be clear, resolute and positive. As Catholics, we are called to support and live marriage as God has inscribed it into the nature of the world. Our task now is to truly live and teach the reality of marriage and family as professed by our church with joy and faith. No human vote can overwrite God’s law.

Let us remember as well that we are called by Christ to love and respect all of our brothers and sisters. That means all without exception. But we cannot do so at the expense of abandoning how God, in His love, has made us and made the world.

With gratitude for your prayers and your love for your Catholic faith, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+ DJM