SEATTLE — Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle has sent a “policy refresher” to Catholic parishes following the success of Nov. 6 ballot measures recognizing same-sex “marriage” and legalizing marijuana, reiterating that the drug is still barred on parish property and the Church cannot recognize or accommodate same-sex “marriages.”
The archbishop said Nov. 29 that the change in civil marriage law is “not in the best interest of children or society.”
He said he was “disappointed that so many voters failed to recognize marriage between a man and a woman as the natural institution for the permanent, faithful covenant of love for a couple, for bringing children into the world, and for nurturing and educating those children.”
Washington state voters voted to affirm the state legislature’s recognition of same-sex “marriages” by 53.7% to 46.3%.
The refresher acknowledged that Catholic canon law now diverges from civil law. It responded to several frequently asked questions about the impact of the new law.
It reiterated that priests, deacons, or lay ministers may not officiate at a same-sex “marriage” or offer “wedding preparation” for same-sex couples. Catholic churches or school facilities also may not be offered for such events or used for receptions after such events.
The statement said there is no legal obligation to solemnize same-sex unions, or legal penalties for a Catholic church or school that refuses to provide accommodations, facilities or services related to same-sex “marriage.” Local governments and state agencies may not retaliate against religious officials who refuse to recognize these unions.
Marijuana Initiative
Washington state voters, by a margin of 55.4% to 44.6%, also approved Initiative 502, allowing adults 21 years or older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana under state law.
Archbishop Sartain noted that the drug is still illegal under federal law and it is unclear how federal authorities will treat the law.
The refresher told parishes that marijuana, like alcohol, is prohibited on parish property.
Alcohol is allowed only at official pastor-approved parish events at which the beverages are served.
The archdiocese’s refresher noted that it is still illegal to open a package containing marijuana in view of the general public.
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From reading the bishop’s primer it is clear we deacons and priests are protected from lawsuits and other sorts of legal actions. But what about lay Catholics who want no part of anything to do with the rampant immoralism that so-called Gay “marriage” is??? Are individual First Amendment rights now dead for believing and practicing Catholics who may be in the florist or photography or hall rental business. Are they going to be thrown under the bus now that those of us who are more closely involved in the institutional Church are protected??
Individual First Amendment rights for believing and practicing Catholics in the florist, photography, hall rental, etc..business are now dead. Lay Catholics are not protected from lawsuits or legal actions regarding gay-marriage and it is only a matter of time before Deacons, Priests, Clergy, Churches, and Schools lose their protection from legal action. What will happen first is discrimination. If you are a member of The Knights of Columbus- be very careful about letting your employer find out that you belong to a “hate group”. Send your children to a Catholic School? Be prepared to defend why you educate your child to be a “hater”. Go to a Catholic Church on Sunday? I hope you can handle being called a “homophobe”, “bigot” and “hater”. Plan on running for public office? Plan on having the media attack you for being a “hater” if you are a practicing Catholic. The persecution is only just beginning. Don’t be surprised if people are physically attacked, homes burned, Churches burned, religious symbols desecrated.
It is time for civil disobedience. When Church and civil law diverge we must be prepared to disobey. Watch the movie “For Greater Glory” on DVD,to see a true life example of the outcome of a government out of control.
Good point Deacon, here in Canada it is unlawful for a Justice of the Peace, Florist or Caterer to refuse service to same-sex Receptions or Wedding Venues. It is a point of suffering. As we don’t have a constitutional protection, whenever anything contradicts the whims of the public it is considered “unconstitutional”. Catholics and Orthodox Christians are finding the limits are getting narrower and more complex. With the majority of the Anglican, Lutheran, Calvinist and some evangelicals approving the travesty of Same-sex Marriage, we have been warned that our Priests will have to give up their Magistrate positions, and bless marriages after a civil ceremony as in France and other Napoleonic Republics in Europe and Mexico. In Canada, our religious rights can not precede Common Law, which means that the Law can force people to cede to the Law. So a Jehovah’s Witness can be forced to receive blood transfusions, a mother can be forced to abort her child, etc. So all these things came quietly and silently into usage. Fight on, Deacon, preach the Truth and don’t let up! Bless you
On the topic of drugs/sex.First abortion,now same-sex marriage and dope. Looks like someone wants to ruin your country in the name of freedom.I don’t hear much Christmas music on the radio,like I used to. Does that mean something to notice. Very much so.At this Christmas season,I hopeChristians will realise,what has happened in Isreal,in regards to Christianity. Merry Christmas.
IT MAKES SENSE WHEN YOU STOP TO THINK ABOUT IT: GAY MARRIAGE AND MARIJUANA LEGALIZED ON THE SAME DAY.
LEVITICUS 20:13 - “IF A MAN LAYS WITH ANOTHER MAN HE SHOULD BE STONED.”
WE’VE JUST BEEN INTERPRETING IT WRONG ALL THESE YEARS…...... DUH !!!
Way too many unintended consequences flow from thoughtless ballot measures approved by the naive.
What a pity that Abp. Sartain even had to issue such a statement. It ought to be a no-brainer. Sadly, it is not.
Thank God for Archbishop Sartain!! God bless him!! We all need leaders like him to clarify the
Catholic faith and to encourage us to stay the course in spite of what the general secular
public has voted into law!
When will you people get it? Marriage equality has nothing to do with the RC Church, its sacraments or your marriage. Marriage is not tied to child rearing. It is the commitment of two people. Some will have children, some will not. Get over it, society is changing and youth fully accept marriage equality. Christs message can be summed up by hiw own words: Love one another as I have loved you. Beyond that don’t worry about others. Your marriage and the Church will no be harmed by marriage equality for all of God’s children of consenting age.
What have Catholics in the floral, catering, tux rental, bridal ahop, photography or hall rental industries been doing for the past 40 years for all the people who divorce and remarry without first getting an annulment? Those are not valid marriages either. Have those Catholics been refusing the business of those folks? Have they been sued for refusing their business?
Have Catholic hospitals been refusing to accept reimbursement for medical fees paid by the “spouses’s” insurance policy if the marriage isn’t valid? Are they planning to do so if the “spouse” happens to be of the same sex as the patient? I’m really curious about how those scrupulous Catholic hospitals are going to handle that one.
@Stephen Trost, did you not read the Canadian post above on the abrogation of freedom of conscience in Canada? Do you not see that your so-called “marriage equality” law is forcing clergy to acknowledge an invalid, abominable practice, which goes against their religion? Like forcing Muslims to eat pork. To say that it has nothing to do with the RC church shows you don’t get it.
The movie For Greater Glory, is the History of what happened in Mexico, my father used to talk to us and to my brothers and sisters of what happened but he never went into detail, probably he did not wanted to scare us, and in the history books there is no mention of anything of this. I never knew the extent until I watched For Greater Glory in the United States. Blessed Fr.Miguel Pro was murdered where it is now the building of the lottery and there is a plaque commemorating the place where he died. it can happen again, and faithful Catholics should be ready for any kind of sacrifice. Lord have mercy on us all.
Stephen,
The issue is how one defines love. There are millions of people worldwide that see marriage as between a man and a woman. Marriage is a natural institution.
Stephen T., I’m saddened to see you are so mistaken about fundamental truth in the face of non-truth. God’s ways are not man’s ways. May your eyes be opened and your heart turned back to the truth soon.
This statement would not have been released if there were no priests blessings same-sex unions to begin with.
Thank God for Archbishop Sartain. Don’t forget to pray daily for our pope, bishops, priests, seminarians, brothers, nuns, other religous, lay church workers, each other and the world. Offer up sacrifices for our sins.
Remember when mankind “trembled” at the thought/word of SIN. It has taken a while and is still a work (of rebellion against God) in progress but Satan has managed to break down a lot of barriors to SIN to make it a humanistic/“amoral” world rejecting the LIVING GOD JESUS CHRIST.BUT: IT IS JESUS CHRIST WHO HAS THE LAST WORD. People can deny sin being sin but SIN, mortal/venial, IS STILL SIN and with concern to sin and unrepentant sinners JESUS CHRIST SAID “REPENT OR YOU WILL ALL PERISH”.“GOD IS LONG-SUFFERING NOT WANTING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH BUT THAT ALL SHOULD TURN TO REPENTANCE”.
cowalker,
I agree that a gay couple who walks into a hospital should not be discriminated against. On the other hand if a writer who specializes in fiction is forced to take on something else, just because its legal or a photographer who does not cover gay weddings is forced to do so. Then they have a right to refuse, because conscience comes into play.
There are no divorce pride parades, nobody is called hateful or a bigot for not accepting their divorce status.
As a Catholic, we believe that gayness is a disorder. But this society thinks it is natural to be gay. The creation story is about Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.
This country is going down the drain. 70% of people 30 and under voted for Obama. 50% of Catholics did the same. How in the world could this disaster have been reelected? How? because the people are becoming more and more stupid by the day. How can Catholics vote for a pres. who is trying to take away their religious liberties? They know that the Catholic church is suing the Obama Adm. The 70% of those 30 and under are people who will be our leaders in the coming years. This country is going the way of the Roman Empire-apathy, lack of education, leaders who are leaderless, illegals coming into the country with no skills. I remember when I was young (I’m 66) my elders used to say, ” I wish I was your age again.” You don’t hear that anymore. I surely don’t say it. I’m glad I’m in the twilight of my years.
“The only thing for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” Edmund Burke
Gayness is not a disorder. All lust is. The Catechism defines lust as disordered desire. The only issue I have is that there is an clear attempt to create new values not based on fact or ethic, but some emotional definition of hurt.
There is a difference between genetic pre-disposition and genetic determinism. It has not been proven that pre-determined inclinations always result in certain pre-determined actions. Behaviour is a choice. Observation, data, conclusions are supposed to be able to make future predictable outcomes. Anything else is meta-physical.
I am also tried of the argument that one is responsible for someone’s else’s mental state. Psychological angst affects the human population in various degrees. This is not unique or special, but life. Forced acceptance is not going to solve internal struggles.
I do not believe that there can be any priest blessing same sex unions, the Archbishop is just doing his job and I really congratulate him. Priests that would bless same sex unions they would find themselves by their actions outside the church immediately.
Gayness is only one of the problems that gay people have, but the same goes for the alcoholic, or for the one addicted to pornography, or the gambler etc. all humans have to strive for perfection like Jesus said: “Be perfect like my Father is perfect”. Someone can be gay, but he/she should not act upon it.
Savvy, C.C. 2357 ... homosexual acts are intrinsically a disorder..
Joe,
You might want to read the section on lust and sins against chastity and put them together.
Joe, President Obama won re-election so God willing he will be President for 4 more years. It amazes me that some people still can’t get over the fact that we elected an African-American President. You are correct about Obama’s share of the Catholic vote and the vote of those under 30. But Romney did carry the vote of white males and he carried the white vote in most Southern states in a landslide. I don’t think that President Obama is trying to take away our religious liberties and don’t think most Catholics think that either.
Thank you very much Archbishop Sartain for your inspiring example. I pray for a strong awakening in this year of faith among many Catholics that have no idea about Jesus’s teaching and what our christian beliefs stand for.
Gilda- Well said, this is an attack in our religious liberties from the Obama administration, this is the reason of so many lawsuits from the Catholic and Christian Faith against Obamacare.
Mark D. Most Catholics have their heads in the sand. If Obama is not trying to take away our religious liberties, then why is the Catholic church suing the Obama Adm,?
Finally some common sense in sea of moral insanity. How soon before some pot-head has a head on collision on the highway and kills a whole family? Catholics again voted to put Obama in office against their own interests. He and Eric Holder have no plans to enforce Federal law against WA, CA and CO who have legalized pot. The HHS mandate regarding contraceptives will stand, Catholic Joe Biden is now in charge of revoking your right to bear arms and what is coming next is what has already happened in Canada. Pastors both Catholic and Protestant will be in the cross-hairs when they speak of homosexual marriage as sin. Church leaders will be charged with “hate speech.” Don’t think this is not coming. Why do Catholics always vote for these people? At least we know why in Massachusetts where they are brain dead and see a halo around anyone named Kennedy simply because they are Catholic.
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