DIGNITY, RESPECT AND INCLUSION IN SOCIETY IS THE DEMOCRATIC RIGHT OF EVERY HUMAN BEING ON OUR PLANET.
Every person has been created in the Image and Likeness of Almighty God, as attested to in the Book of Genesis.
Thus every person who considers him or herself to be heterosexual or homosexual in nature has been created in the Imago Dei.
Heartache
Pastors and Priests minister to heterosexual and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT] members of their congregations.
A burning issue of heartache over past years has centered around same sex partnerships.
It is essential for Pastors and Priests to be totally supportive of, and helpful with, the real issues - emotional, spiritual, social and financial - of both homosexual and heterosexual members of their congregations.
Pastoral reality of Same Sex Marriages
In recent years, many same sex marriages have occurred.
Pastors are now dealing with the reality of breakdown of marriages in homosexual unions at a worrying rate.
Many complicated issues are arising from the reality of same-sex marriage breakdown and divorce proceedings.
Homosexual marriages are reportedly at the start of a divorce boom [1].
This is a cause of deep concern to Pastors and Priests.
Every divorce from a marriage has long lasting repercussions for the children of the divorce.
Lesley Foulkes-Jamison, Ph.D., has written of the Effects of Divorce on Children, citing fear, reduction of contact with one parent, schoolwork suffering or school avoidance, decreased standard of living, possible display of acting-out behaviours, distress during visit exchanges, intense grief, anger. [2]
A further, and deepening concern, are issues arising from same sex marriages.
Children of same sex marriages have been reaching out for assistance as they struggle with issues.
These are the tears of heartbreak, with children speaking out.
Tolerance
Pastors and Priests are aware of a call at times from LGBT members of community for tolerance from heterosexual members.
Pastors and Priests are aware that tolerance from LGBT members of community for heterosexual members is likewise of value.
We are all moving along the same road of humanity towards our eternal destination; love, acceptance and support of each member of the road of life is not only important. but essential.
'Love one another as I have loved you,' is the express command of Jesus Christ, the Lord of all.
Breaking the Silence
Now that the children of same sex marriages are breaking their silence, coming out of their closet, their story needs to be listened to.
Children are not a convenience. They are a creation of love between two people, with a soul gifted by God during the act of love and intimacy between a couple.
In recent times, there have been numerous departures from the original act of conception as instituted by God.
The results are being dealt with by Pastors and Priests as children mourn their embryo siblings who died during their personal implantation. [3]
Countless children are lost to the world due to their loss during in vitro fertilisation. [4]
The use of surrogacy has led to desperately tragic situations, such as a couple who reportedly asked the surrogate to abort after learning the unborn baby had Down Syndrome. [5]
A new pastoral reality is emerging, with children - now adults- of same sex marriages taking to the media to speak of the reality of their experience.
One example is the letter online of Heather Barwick.
Heather speaks of the fact that she is hurting; her father's absence created a 'huge hole' in her, and she 'ached every day for a dad.' [6]
Heather apprises that she is not gay, but the relationship that was modelled before her was a woman loving a woman.
Now she struggles as an adult figuring out how to be in a relationship with her husband. [7]
Dignity, humanity and equality
Six children [now adults] raised by same-sex partners have written a letter supporting the luminous fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in their support of traditional marriage and families.
These children have expressed thanks to the designers for speaking up for the rights of children to both mother and a father. 'Every human being has a mother and a father, and to cut either from a child's life is to rob the child of dignity, humanity and equality', their letter reads. [8]
Strong Pastoral Concern
This is the reality of adult children of same sex marriages; their words and personal testimony cannot be overlooked.
Their rights are as important as every member of the human community.
Clear statements about their experience has been made; many children from the context of same sex marriage are hurting.
This reality is a strong pastoral concern to Pastors and Priests.
Humanae Vitae
Pope Paul VI emphasized that marriage is far from being the effect of chance or the result of blind evolution of forces.
It is in reality the wise and provident institution of God the Creator, Whose purpose was to effect in humanity His loving design.
As a consequence, through the mutual gift of themselves, which is specific and exclusive to them alone, that union of two persons develops in which they perfect one another, cooperating with God in the generation and rearing of new lives. [9]
Marriage thus is an institution of love and sacramental grace between two, who may then generate new individuals from within their union and undertake the upbringing of their children together.
In essence
In essence, the reality of marriage is that, as time wears on, the primary focus does not remain with the two individuals who pledge loyalty for life to each other.
The primary focus is ensuring the long term wellbeing of the children resultant to that marriage.
Let this reality guide us in any decisions to be made.
[1] From 'I Do' to 'I'm Done', Alleged News
http://nymag.com/news/features/gay-divorce-2013-3/index1.html
[2] Effects of Divorce on Children, Alleged News
http://cpancf.com/articles_files/efffectsdivorceonchildren.asp
[3] Prayer Chapel for Those Born from IVF who Mourn Sibling Embryos who Died
http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.ie/2014/01/prayer-chapel-for-those-born-from-ivf.html
[4] In Vitro Fertilisation; the Human Cost; Alleged News
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/in-vitro-fertilization-the-human-cost
[5] Lesbian Couple Asks Surrogate to Abort Baby after Learning She had Down Syndrome; Alleged News
http://www.lifenews.com/2014/09/02/lesbian-couple-asks-surrogate-to-abort-baby-after-learning-she-had-down-syndrome/
[6] Dear Gay Community; Your Kids are Hurting; Alleged News
http://thefederalist.com/2015/03/17/dear-gay-community-your-kids-are-hurting/
[7] Woman Raised by Lesbian Couple has come out against Gay Marriage, Alleged News
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=941_1426789335&comments=1
[8] Children of Gay and Lesbian Parents write letter of support to Dolce, Gabbana; Alleged News
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/children-of-gay-and-lesbian-parents-write-letter-of-support-to-dolce-gabbana-54477/
[9] Humanae Vitae
http://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html
Bishops reject bid to redefine marriage; Alleged News
http://www.alive.ie/headline1.html
Children's Rights Must Come First; Alleged News
http://www.alive.ie/headline2.html
Marriage is so Precious for Children and Society, Alleged News
http://www.alive.ie/story2.html
With thanks to Nymag.com, Cpancf.com, Lifesitenews.com, Lifenews.com, TheFederalist.com, Liveleak.com, CatholicNewsAgency.com, w2.Vatican.va, Alive.ie
Image by Rev Catherine
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