IF MARRIAGE is about love, should two people of the same sex be allowed to marry, just like two people of the opposite sex?
“Same-sex marriage” has become an even hotter topic ever since US President Barack Obama came out in support of it as he began his bid for another four-year term. In the Philippines, celebrities, activists, and netizens have joined the bandwagon, taking the cue from high-profile endorsers such as Hillary Clinton and Lady Gaga.
In the first place, why is the Church opposed to same-sex marriage? Is the Church against homosexuals?
On the contrary, the Catechism states that homosexuals are to be treated with respect just like everyone else, and are called to the Christian way of life: “They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives…”
The Church, however, believes that marriage is only for one man and one woman. UST Theology professors point out that marriage is greater than the love between two persons.
Aside from the bible, the Church uses natural law as basis for its stance. “Natural law emphasizes the pro-creative aspect of marriage, which happens in the unity between a man and a woman. The natural law is unchanging, it is constant,” said Allan Basas, faculty secretary of the Institute of Religion.
Thus, the union between husband and wife is about two things—bonding and babies—as American moral theologian Janet Smith puts it. This way, the natural moral order ensures the continuation of the human species. What same-sex marriage advocates are actually campaigning for is a redefinition of marriage.
Theology professor Celia Vinoya, member of the Dean’s Council of the Institute of Religion, noted that the definition of marriage in the Canon Law is “a covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of their whole life, and by its own very nature is ordered to the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children.”
A homosexual marriage, however, won’t be able to produce offspring. While it is true that infertile, heterosexual couples can marry, such cases are exceptions rather than the norm.
Basas said: “That union between a man and a woman is geared towards the good of the offspring.”
But Ceejay Agbayani, head pastor of Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of Quezon City and a member of Task Force Pride Philippines, said marriage should be about mutual love, respect, and support, and should not be exclusive to heterosexuals.
Agbayani cites John 3:16 to justify gay marriage, although the bible verse refers to salvation through Christ.
“The Church should not deny [same-sex marriage]. You know, when Jesus Christ was teaching us inclusivity, he means all. Salvation is all … Lahat pwede sa hapag ng Panginoon,” Agbayani said.
Agbayani claimed homosexual acts are not sinful. “For us, homosexuality is not a sin, no ifs, not buts. We, as members of MCC, believe there is nothing wrong with being homosexual and doing homosexual acts,” Agbayani said.
The Catholic stance is based on both the Old and New Testaments. For instance, St. Paul talks about man’s response to God’s law in his letter to the Romans: “Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God handed them over to their undiscerning mind to do what is improper.”
Protection of the family
Basas also pointed to the value placed by society on the traditional family.
“It is in the family where faith, virtues, and beliefs are nurtured. It is hard to harmonize same-sex marriage with practicing Catholics,” he said.
The roles of father and the mother are gender-based, which will serve as models of the children as they grow up, Basas noted.
“Whatever values you see in your parents, those are what will serve as your starting point for your married life in the future,” he said.
How about arguments that same-sex marriage is a matter of right, or a freedom that should be guaranteed by the state?
Basas said every individual has freedom but there are specific limitations.
“We could say we could do whatever we want but that does not mean that it is the right thing to do. This is where limitation enters,” he said.
Political issue
Fr. Dave Clay, assistant executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission for Family and Life, said same-sex marriage has become a political issue especially that the US presidential election will be held this November.
“Obama is flip-flopping. One time, he believes he’s against it; one time, he’s for it,” Clay noted.
Fr. Bong Sarabia, director of the guidance office of Adamson University, said Obama’s pro-same-sex marriage stand was “expected” since the US president is already in favor of abortion, contraception, and divorce.
Clay said opposing same-sex marriage demonstrates respect for the “true meaning of marriage.”
“Not allowing [homosexuals] to get married is not discrimination. God doesn’t want them to get married just because they want to get married. It’s not God’s plan for two men or two women to get married,” Clay said. “If two men want to be together, have sex with each other, and live together as a couple, it’s up to them. But I’m not going to call it marriage nor am I allowing the state to call it marriage.”
