Canadian bishops say marriage bill changes nature of moral law

Published: 2005-07-22

OTTAWA (CNS) -- The new Canadian law allowing same-sex marriages changes the nature of "moral values and principles," the Canadian bishops said. "The fundamental and universal reality of marriage remains the exclusive union of a man and a woman for life. From the perspective of the Catholic Church, the new federal statute denatures the moral values and principles," the bishops said in a July 20 statement. The statement noted that some Catholics, including politicians, promoted the redefinition of marriage. "In this regard, they are in dissent from the teaching of the church as enunciated by the Holy Father and the bishops. This is a serious and problematic matter," the bishops said. "Canadians in general have been and remain deeply divided about changing the nature of marriage and altering its basic meaning. It is clear this debate is far from over and that it will be a significant issue in the upcoming federal election," the bishops said.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .