Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
(Matthew Tusa)
Ben Fleming- Catholic Churches views. (Fr. Williams)
Lexi McGruder- Pope Francis and the debate. (Dr. Wilson)
CMM 343 - Advanced Newsgathering
Dr. Babington
December 9, 2014
the church in a certain direction. Well, yes he is, but the direction he wants is for the church to
be less myopic.
In an interview following the synod, Francis comments were directed toward Catholic
parenting as it is concerned with homosexuality. He spoke of the importance of support from
parents unto LGBT children. We come across this reality all the time in the confessional: a
father and a mother whose son or daughter is in that situation. This happened to me several
times in Buenos Aires.... We have to find a way to help that father or that mother to stand by
their son or daughter, he said.
The family is the building block of society. And the dynamics that are unleashed within
the context of the family should be one of support and inclusion, says Wilson in explanation of
the approach in teaching human sexuality and marriage. However, Wilson goes on to comment
on the overwhelming fixation the public has created with the subject. For me the bigger issue,
as with Francis, is the western preoccupation with human sexuality. And frankly the church is
fighting an uphill battle. Because it is not just the conservatives, look at the media. With the
media, humans can be reduced to our sexuality and that is problematic. Because no matter your
orientation, youre fundamentally a human being.
The view on same-sex marriage in the Catholic Church is one that is based on natural
law, human nature, and the Bible. It explains God's will for the relationship between men and
women. In the church, marriage is an exclusive, lifelong union between a man and a woman
filled with love. Marriage did not originate from either the church or state, but from God. Since
the purpose of marriage was established by God, it can only be the union of a man and a
woman. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website, God created
both male and females as equals who complement one another that creates the bond that is the
core of marriage. Jesus states in his teachings from Genesis, But from the beginning of
creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and
mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh, (MK 10:6-8).
the Catholic Church should look into the new scientific discoveries going on and how this might
affect the church's understanding of a persons sexuality.
In recent weeks, many cases have been brought forth regarding the lifting of bans on
same sex marriage in several different states across the country. Thirty-four out of the 50 states
in the U.S. allow same sex marriage, nine are pending court action, three had their appeal
courts approved, and six ban same sex marriage. Reports indicate that Mississippi, Kentucky,
and Michigan are states that are in the process of potentially lifting the bans on same sex
marriage through several cases making their way through the appeal court process.
In a recent post on the Supreme Court of the United States blog site, reporter Lyle
Denniston discusses the petitions taking place in Michigan and Kentucky. The petition taking
place in Michigan is a result of a lesbian couple who was denied the legalization of getting
married by the state and was also not allowed to adopt three children. The state said they are
not opposed for the Supreme Court to review the issue. The second case in the posting relates
to a case coming from the state of Kentucky. The case was successful in getting through the
appeal court, trying to challenge the ruling, which upheld marriage and marriage recognition in
the states in that region. In total, there are four cases that are challenging the Sixth Circuits
ruling on the hearing that took place on Nov. 6, 2014. All four petitions are formally at the
Supreme Court and are awaiting responses from the state.
In an article posted to the Clarion-Ledger website by reporter Emily Le Coz on Nov. 19, it
talks about the likelihood of gay marriage victory in the state of Mississippi. Legal experts say
that people could start obtaining gay marriage licenses very soon. Certain scholars believe that
the U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves will possibly grant a preliminary injunction to
Mississippi's gay marriage ban as sought by the Campaign for Southern Equality in its case
against the state. Reeves heard more than five hours of arguments in the case at the Federal
courthouse in Jackson and promised to rule "as soon as possible." People believe that Reeves
will grant the injunction but not the stay, meaning gay couples could immediately have the right
to marry in the state of Mississippi. All of these cases have been fuel for the fiery debate
regarding the allowance of same-sex marriage and have given many people the courage to
speak up and defend what they believe in.
Matthew Tusa is an undergraduate student at Spring Hill College, and is in charge of the
Pride Club here on campus. Though it is largely unseen and unheard, it was created as a club
that can provide a public, unified representative voice for members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual
Transgender community and its allies. It is also a social club, which can connect many members
of the LGBT+ community. Many of these cases have given people like Tusa hope for equality
and make people excited about all of the action taking place. Tusa said, Of course, legislation
is happening and definitely in the works, and peoples hearts are changing.
Although these new changes taking place are good, the gay community will always in a
certain way be socially unacceptable. Tusa added, I dont think real social change will come
until religious institutions change their views. As a Catholic, I can attest to the influence religious
institutions can have on the views on a person and of groups. Real, lasting social change will
come when science, law, and religion recognize how same sex marriage is quite all right.
Science no longer treats us as psychologically diseased, and the law is changing. Tusa also
believes that the religious institutions are trying to change the way they perceive the gay
community. However, religion is showing both signs of change and stagnation. I will be satisfied
with the progress when I see religious institutions further develop their teachings on same sex
marriage. I truly think that they are trying to do that.