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Decree on Same-Sex Marriages (ARCHNY)
Archdiocese of New York ^ | 10/18/11 | Timothy M. Dolan

Posted on 11/08/2011 4:44:46 PM PST by markomalley

DECREE

The intimate partnership of life and love that constitutes the married state was established by God and endowed by Him with its own proper nature and laws. According to Divine Law, the nature of marriage is defined as a covenant between one man and one woman by which they establish a partnership of the whole life, which is ordered to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. Jesus Christ affirmed the privileged place of marriage in human and Christian society by raising this union to the dignity of a Sacrament when entered into by two baptized persons. Consequently, the Church has the authority and the serious obligation to affirm the authentic teaching on marriage, and to preserve and foster the supremely sacred value of the married state.

For millennia, civil authority recognized the true nature of marriage. The marital union between one man and one woman was universally accepted by civil law as a constitutive element of human society, which is vital to the human family and to the continuation of the human race. In a reversal of this tradition, the New York State Legislature recently enacted a law that recognizes same-sex unions as marriages in the State of New York. This law is irreconcilable with the nature and the definition of marriage as established by Divine Law.

Recognizing my responsibility as Diocesan Bishop to guide the Faithful by clearly teaching the truths of the Faith with charity and without compromise, I hereby decree the following diocesan policy regarding same-sex civil marriages. This policy is to be followed by all persons whose activities are subject to my moral authority as Archbishop of New York. It is intended to provide instruction for the activities of these persons and for the use of the property and facilities of the Church and Catholic-affiliated entities within the canonical boundaries of this Archdiocese.

Accordingly, it is the policy of the Archdiocese of New York that:

(1) No member of the clergy (priest or deacon) incardinated in the Archdiocese of New York, or any person while acting as an employee of the Church, may participate in the civil solemnization or celebration of a same-sex marriage, which includes but is not limited to providing services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges for such events. Ecclesiastical solemnization or celebration of same-sex marriages is expressly forbidden by Canon law.

(2) No Catholic facility or property, including but not limited to parishes, missions, chapels, meeting halls, Catholic educational, health, or charitable institutions or benevolent orders, or any place dedicated, consecrated, or used for Catholic worship may be used for the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages.

(3) No items dedicated, consecrated, or used for the celebration of Catholic liturgy or sacred worship, including but not limited to sacred vessels, vestments, liturgical books or other items may be used for the civil solemnization of a same-sex marriage.

(4) Failure to adhere to this policy may result in the imposition of canonical sanctions.

The terms of this policy shall take effect within the canonical boundaries of the Archdiocese of New York as of the date of this Decree.

Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan
Archbishop of New York




Given at New York, New York this 18th day of October, 2011.


TOPICS: Catholic
KEYWORDS: biblicalmarriage; christianmarriage; dolan; homosexualagenda; marriage; newyork; pederastagenda; romancatholic; timothydolan; timothymdolan

1 posted on 11/08/2011 4:44:47 PM PST by markomalley
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To: markomalley
I missed this.
Odd, it didn't make the news on any of the on-line rags.

Bravo to him for decreeing this. Nice to hear of some backbone.
Reminds me of our Pazner Pope.

2 posted on 11/08/2011 4:49:57 PM PST by cloudmountain
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To: markomalley
WooHoo, Archbishop Dolan!!!!!!!!!!!>{?

Accordingly, it is the policy of the Archdiocese of New York that:

(1) No member of the clergy (priest or deacon) incardinated in the Archdiocese of New York, or any person while acting as an employee of the Church, may participate in the civil solemnization or celebration of a same-sex marriage, which includes but is not limited to providing services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges for such events. Ecclesiastical solemnization or celebration of same-sex marriages is expressly forbidden by Canon law.

(2) No Catholic facility or property, including but not limited to parishes, missions, chapels, meeting halls, Catholic educational, health, or charitable institutions or benevolent orders, or any place dedicated, consecrated, or used for Catholic worship may be used for the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages.

(3) No items dedicated, consecrated, or used for the celebration of Catholic liturgy or sacred worship, including but not limited to sacred vessels, vestments, liturgical books or other items may be used for the civil solemnization of a same-sex marriage.

(4) Failure to adhere to this policy may result in the imposition of canonical sanctions.


3 posted on 11/08/2011 4:52:14 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

>{?

Where did that come from?


4 posted on 11/08/2011 4:53:24 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: markomalley

I would dearly love to see the same issued for each diocese in the country. Well said, Your Excellency.


5 posted on 11/08/2011 4:56:07 PM PST by sayuncledave (et Verbum caro factum est (And the Word was made flesh))
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To: markomalley

Wow. Thank God. Literally.


6 posted on 11/08/2011 4:58:44 PM PST by Reddy (B.O. stinks)
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To: cloudmountain; Salvation
Bravo to him for decreeing this. Nice to hear of some backbone.

Ya think?

I thought it was a little bit wishy washy myself.

Failure to adhere to this policy may result in the imposition of canonical sanctions

May? -- that gives him an out. How about will

And how about the laity?

No statement in there along the lines of:

Same sex couples who attempt "marriage," whether civilly or illicitly under the cover of some "religious ceremony" shall refrain from receiving communion per Canon 915, to avoid scandal among the faithful.

Yes, it's better than nothing...but he could have gone a WHOLE lot farther, at least in my book.

7 posted on 11/08/2011 5:00:04 PM PST by markomalley (Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good-Pope Leo XIII)
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To: markomalley

You’ve got some valid points about the “may”

and not warning any laity who would take part in such a ceremony.

Pray for all of New York.

Would that some other Bishops there would have this much backbone!


8 posted on 11/08/2011 5:05:05 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: markomalley

Glad to see the piece by the Catholic Church made it to Free Republic.


9 posted on 11/08/2011 5:16:15 PM PST by zippythepinhead (The Salt Lake Tribune hates Freepers.)
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To: markomalley

Deo gratias.


10 posted on 11/08/2011 5:23:05 PM PST by victim soul
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To: cloudmountain

He needs to threaten Andrew Cuomo and any Catholic politician who pushes homosexuality or same-sex marriage with excommunication.


11 posted on 11/08/2011 8:04:44 PM PST by rzman21
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