In condemning the city of St. Louis for
marrying four gay couples, the Archdiocese of St. Louis insisted sex
is reserved for marriage.
The city on Wednesday issued the
marriage licenses to challenge the state's law prohibiting such
unions. The following day, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster
sued the city.
(Related: St.
Louis marries four gay couples to “force the issue” of marriage
equality.)
In
a statement issued Friday, the archdiocese said it was
“disappointed” with the city's decision.
“Loving a person does not mean
accepting all their behaviors. The Church does not condemn
individuals for having same-sex attraction. Persons who struggle
with same-sex attraction must be loved with respect, compassion, and
sensitivity. At the same time, the Catholic faith teaches that all
people are called to responsibility regarding sexuality – whether
they are homosexual or heterosexual, priest or lay person. Part of
the responsibility means understanding that sex is to be reserved for
marriage, and that marriage between a man and a woman is the only
kind of union from which children can come.”
“We encourage Catholics and all
people of faith to pray that our culture will grow in the love of
God, and that our actions and laws will respect the laws of nature
and its creator,” the archdiocese added.