Defense of Marriage Act: Will it Stand?

The following is an open letter from Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P. Dear Brothers and Sisters, As the Promoter of Social Justice, I want to bring to your attention a matter of great import for the social and moral health of our country. Next week, starting on Tuesday March 26th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of both the federal Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, the California law which upholds traditional marriage. Together these cases may be regarded as the “Roe v. Wade of marriage.” One need hardly point out the consequential nature of the resulting decision, likely to emerge in June. Pope Francis, while Archbishop of Buenos Aires, bluntly referred to a law legalizing gay marriage as an attack on God’s plan and “a machination of the Father of Lies…” Sometimes the advocates of gay marriage argue that their position is the compassionate one. In his short time in the Chair of St. Peter, Pope Francis has reminded us, to the contrary, that devotion to the poor and marginalized is intimately tied to the defense of the eternal morality of the Gospel. We can love those who struggle with homosexuality without toying with the Divine plan for the family. I commend this judicial proceeding to your attention for the sake of your prayer and preaching. It is dangerous and discouraging that politicians and plebiscites are even involved in this issue – the definition of marriage is a matter of natural law. A joyful witness to the truth is ever more necessary. The world needs to hear about the beauty of the traditional family, the complementarity of the sexes, the sacred tie between child-rearing and the marital act, and the irreplaceable social value of mothers and fathers. May we plant seeds of Gospel truth in the various places we serve. In terms of concrete action, there is a March for Marriage on March 26th in Washington, DC. Obviously most us us can’t go, but we can spread the word. Check out the website for more information by clicking here. A number of the friars in Washington are enthusiastically taking part. Also, I am including a Novena to St. Joseph, specifically about this issue, that the student brothers are praying. It’s never too late to start it! Have a blessed Holy Week. Fraternally in Christ, Francis Belanger, O.P.