Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Brooklyn is exactly right.
Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature have deconstructed the single most important institution in human history. Republicans and Democrats alike succumbed to powerful political elites and have passed legislation that will undermine our families and as a consequence, our society.
With this vote, Governor Cuomo has opened a new front in the culture wars that are tearing at the fabric of our nation. At a time when so many New Yorkers are struggling to stay in their homes and find jobs, we should be working together to solve these problems. However, the politicians have curried favor with wealthy donors who are proponents of a divisive agenda in order to advance their own careers and futures.
What is needed in our state is leadership and not political gamesmanship.
In light of these disturbing developments and in protest for this decision, I have asked all Catholic schools to refuse any distinction or honors bestowed upon them this year by the governor or any member of the legislature who voted to support this legislation. Furthermore, I have asked all pastors and principals to not invite any state legislator to speak or be present at any parish or school celebration.
The above request is intended as a protest of the corrupt political process in New York State. More than half of all New Yorkers oppose this legislation. Yet, the governor and the state legislature have demonized people of faith, whether they be Muslims, Jews, or Christians, and identified them as bigots and prejudiced, and voted in favor of same-sex “marriage.” It is mystifying that this bill would be passed on the last day of an extended session under the cover of darkness.
This issue has been framed as upholding marriage equality. This is not the case since one of the principal purposes of marriage is to bring new life into the world. This cannot happen in same-sex marriage. It is not a civil rights issue, but rather a human rights issue upholding the age-old understanding of marriage. Our political leaders do not believe their own rhetoric. If they did, how in good conscience could they carve out any exemption for institutions that would be proponents of bigotry and prejudice?
Republicans and Democrats equally share responsibility for this ruinous legislation and we as Catholics should hold all accountable for their actions. [Source]
In the meantime Gov. Cuomo will still go and receive Communion.
10 comments
We should be concerned and we should fight, but evil has a way of destroying itself.
And Cuomo will continue to receive communion. It makes me want to cry. It’s time to stand up and not be silent anymore. If we continue to stand by, the only sound we’ll hear is the sound of the country flushing down the toilet. God forgive us.
If Bishop Hubbard of Albany had seriously spoke out about this bill BEFORE it was voted on, and had chastised Gov Coumo, instead of praising him as “the kind of Catholic Politician we need” it would have gone a long way to stop this. Now the bishop needs to excommunicate the Governor and any other Legislators who are from his diocese to really make the point. The Bishops of NY issued a very harshly (for them) memo AFTER the vote. It would be proper for them to excommunicate any Legislator in their dioceses who voted for this.
Please don’t think too harsh of me for taking this position, I live in NY in the Rochester Diocese and the many of the legislators who voted in favor are Catholic and the last vote in the Senate was cast by a Catholic from Buffalo saying his “Catholicism” made him vote in favor of this thing!
the bishop is the ultimate authority. you can not disagree. the bishop has not formally excommunicated these “catholic” politicians. therefore I can only conclude this is not an offense that requires it. I can only conclude that helping homosexuals join together in unions is a decent thing to do. the bishop is the ultimate authority. you should obey.
No, the Church is the ultimate authority. If the bishop does not follow the teaching authority of the Church, he has separated himself from the magisterium of the Church. we are under no obligation to follow him into hell.
the Church is not a democracy. the Bishops are successors to the Apostles. This is as if Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John were to “ok” the Catholic politicians signing this bill into law. We can only draw from this that we all should go out and help homosexuals enter into marriage!
Anthony, don’t forget to boycott all pro-life groups that use graphic images. A bishop has pronounced such activities immoral.
You forgot to use the Episcopal Spine graphic! Give that man a spine with a mitre!!!
What happened to the Godly principle of Do Not Judge? Who are we to condemn ANYONE? I feel ashamed for all those who insist they will go to Heaven while arrogantly and unmeekly condemn others to Hell.
“In the meantime Gov. Cuomo will still go and receive Communion.”
Sid, I don’t want to cry, tears or make loud voices whichever. The case is so OURAGEOUS that make me ask, again, to all the world commited Catholics: lets’ send signatures to the Pope, stating tha bishops not OBEYING Canon 915 that COMMANDS to excommunicate public figures SCANDALIZING our people. They must be recalled to rome.
In Perú cardinal Cipriani INVITES the Eucharist to the notorious PUBLIC thief & adulterer, presidente Alan García after him distributing “gratis” the abortive morning after pill.
Let’s go to Rome, many saints gave us example!