Reflection for June 30

The Future of Marriage in America

Sunday's readings can be found here.

This Thursday, we will celebrate 237 years of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as Americans.  Knowing our country’s history, we can honestly admit that these rights have not always been protected for all.  For example, it took time for these rights to be fully granted to African-Americans and women.  Although great progress of liberty has been made with these groups, we have regressed as a nation in regard to the most fundamental rights of humanity at large.  Sadly, in modern times the Supreme Court charged with the ultimate interpretation of the U.S. Constitution has been the chief instigator – the worst kind of legislator – of immorality in our country.  Could the Founding Fathers ever imagine that the Supreme Court would ever rule in favor of allowing women to kill their unborn children in 1973?  Could they have ever imagined that the Court in June 2012 would fail to overturn a “healthcare” plan that forces employers and individuals to directly fund abortion?  And more recently, could the Fathers have ever imagined that this Court would dodge the definition of marriage on June 26, 2013?  Yet these shocking decisions have been made!

Last Wednesday was described as “a tragic day for marriage and our nation” by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York.  The Supreme Court invalidated a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and rejected the right of the people to defend a law passed by millions of citizens in California.  The Court avoided the question of whether Proposition 8 in California is constitutional.  Even though the people of California voted to protect marriage (which is surprising but true!), reckless politicians refused to respect the right of the people and enforce the law.  The good news is that the Supreme Court did NOT create a constitutional right to so-called “same-sex marriage.”  States like Texas that have protected marriage and other states that seek to do so in the future cannot be stopped.  Therefore, we thank God that “same-sex marriage” advocates did not get what they wanted, namely a Roe v. Wade for “same-sex marriage.”

Nevertheless, I personally believe this is still a watershed moment for the future of traditional marriage in the U.S.  It is alarming that the Administration applauded this decision and has repeatedly expressed support for “same-sex marriage.”  Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas) with the support of other congressmen is introducing Marriage Protection Amendment in the U.S. House of Representatives to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.  As faithful Catholics and as Americans concerned about the future of our great nation, we must support these legislative efforts.  In the near future, I will elaborate on why “same-sex marriage” is bad for America and why traditional marriage should be protected.  The USCCB has put the reasoning in a concise way: “When Jesus taught about the meaning of marriage – the lifelong, exclusive union of husband and wife – he pointed back to ‘the beginning’ of God’s creation of the human person as male and female (see Matthew 19).  In the face of the customs and laws of his time, Jesus taught an unpopular truth that everyone could understand.  The truth of marriage endures, and we will continue to boldly proclaim it with confidence and charity.”