Posted on 07/01/2011 2:25:50 AM PDT by markomalley
PROVIDENCE, June 30, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – “Can there be any doubt that Almighty God will, in His own time and way, pass judgment upon our state, its leaders and citizens, for abandoning His commands and embracing public immorality?” That was how Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin reacted to today’s passage of legislation approving homosexual civil unions in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island Senate approved the final version of the bill by a vote of 21 to 16. Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who advocated the legalization of homosexual “marriage” in his inaugural address, is expected to sign it into law.
The bill was passed by the House in May and made it through the Senate without amendment, despite opposition from both sides of the issue.
Homosexual advocacy organizations have objected to the legislation because it includes a provision protecting religious entities, including hospitals and schools, from being forced to recognize the legal standing of same-sex unions.
Martha Holt, Board Chair of Marriage Equality Rhode Island, called the bill “hurtful and ill-conceived,” and asked the Governor to veto it, in a statement released today.
Defenders of traditional marriage, however, argue that the provision does not go far enough to protect people of faith.
“By not extending these protections to individuals the Senate has put at risk the myriad of small businesses and practices run by people of faith,” read a National Organization for Marriage blog post. “These voters do not have the resources to defend against lawsuits and as such are left with the tragic choice of betraying their faith or risking their livelihoods.”
The organization also warned that because the bill does not include a definition of marriage, it has “opened the door for the courts of Rhode Island to redefine marriage without a vote of the people.”
For his part, Bishop Tobin expressed his deep disappointment, saying, “The concept of civil unions is a social experiment that promotes an immoral lifestyle, is a mockery of the institution of marriage as designed by God, undermines the well-being of our families, and poses a threat to religious liberty.”
The bishop stressed that the “Church continues to have respect and love for persons with same-sex attraction.” However, he said, “the Church reminds its members that homosexual activity is contrary to the natural law and the will of God and, therefore, is objectively sinful.”
He warned that “Catholics may not participate in civil unions,” and should they do so it would be “seriously sinful.”
A couple of paragraphs from that:
Because civil unions promote an unacceptable lifestyle, undermine the faith of the Church on holy matrimony, and cause scandal and confusion, Catholics may not participate in civil unions. To do so is a very grave violation of the moral law and, thus, seriously sinful. A civil union can never be accepted as a legitimate alternative to matrimony.
Can there be any doubt that Almighty God will, in His own time and way, pass judgment upon our state, its leaders and citizens, for abandoning His commands and embracing public immorality? I encourage Catholics to pray for God’s patience, mercy and forgiveness in these distressing times.”
God will not be mocked.
I cannot imagine how such a small group could have brought about such changes in the morals and daily lives of so many.
All we hear about these days are queers wanting to marry, wanting rights that are limited to married couples,wanting accpetance for their sick behavior.
LGBT Month and the President having these whacko’s to the White House.It wasn’t enough that they were warned by AIDS that their behavior was wrong, they had to spread that disease to heterosexuals and ruin our blood supply.Anyone else remember when AIDS was a homosexuals disease? That was before bi-sexuals took it home to their wives and girlfriends, before they realised the blood supply was contaminated,before nurse’s got stuck with a needle and developed it.
I can remember when blood was considered sterile, now everyone who touch’s a patient has to wear sterile gloves, and we still do not place the blame where it belongs.Medical people fear getting stuck by a needle because they do not know if the patient has AIDS or not.These warning are ignored and it is getting worse, we are teaching children in schools about homosexual activity.We are called homophobes for recognising that these people are sick. What was once an aberration is becoming a sick thrill. Might as well try it, it’s ok now.
Many college girls are using it instead of birth control.Hollywood always was filled with homosexuals, now they don’t even bother denying it.
What did RI think they would get electing Lincoln Chaffee Governor? Really, that's just awful. Lincoln Chaffee. Yuck.
The Missing Linc won only by a small plurality as the most left-wing candidate running of 3 candidates. The Republican and Democrat running (of whom the latter was offered to switch and run as a Republican) were both to the right of Chafee. He was a horrible Senator and is an even worse Governor.
“As it was in the days of Noah...”
When you see these things come to pass, look up, for your redemption draws nigh.
These laws passing in RI & NY are telling in that this is happening in a part of the country that is rapidly becoming a backwater; they are bleeding population and jobs, but I’m sure they are gaining in one important area: the Muslim immigrants that will eventually overturn these laws (even if by force).
He is completely right about this. The LORD does judge nations and people groups right now, today.
How can we sing God Bless America when deviant behavior and sin is rampant and embraced by people who are so immoral? God can’t and won’t bless those who uphold these types of behaviors. God help us!
Not just R.I., the whole nation.
58:1 ¶ Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Amen.....God will not be mocked.
IMO the Civil War was a judgment on this nation for countenancing slavery. What will be the judgment for these things?
This all shows who or what our nation is. None of this would be if the Lord were really this nation's God. When I was young it was difficult to imagine how we could be anything other than a God fearing nation. I mean even Hollywood tipped its hat to the "Man upstairs". Then in the 60's things like dropping church attendance and businesses opening up on Sunday were the first hints I had of growing irreligion. And it all snuck up on us - we forgot who we are.
Today no one thinks twice about business as usual on Sunday. It's just another day even if it is the weekend for some. We go out to eat, shop, work, play ... And for the most part, those who still go to church go for an hour, maybe two, in the morning. The idea that the day would be different, set aside for the Lord gets in the way of all the other things that are more important.
Jesus when He began the Lord's Supper said "This do ... in remembrance of me" (paraphrased). How true it is that we are a forgetful people. He knows who we are and what we need. And what we need is to give Him the preeminence in all things - especially to "show forth" His Gospel on Sundays by remembering Him as He asked us to. I am convinced that if the Church were to make that declaration - of Him crucified and died, and buried, and risen, and returning again - across all denominational lines - that would put us in remembrance of the Lord in a way that would transform our nation. Maybe even a revival.
American exceptionalism is not just a secular thing.
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Oh really?... It is "up to" God now?... In the mean time we can go back to sleep, right?
I find it AMAZING... that ALL THE BISHOPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DEMONSTRATED LAST WEEK!!!... SIMPLY OVERWHELMING... THEIR REACTION WAS SOMETHING FOR THE AGES!!! HOW MANY WERE THERE??????? 10, 20, 30 BISHOPS.. ROME?... ALL RASING THEIR VOICES IN OPPOSITIONS?!!!!!! /SARCASM
The little bits I heard "here and there" sounded to me more like the classic "Wink...Wink... kind of message" More like "...you know... We HAVE to say something... but you know... wink... wink"
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