Supreme Court Decisions on Marriage: Tragic Day

Supreme Court Decisions on Marriage: 'Tragic Day for Marriage and our Nation,' State U.S. Bishops

 

June 26, 2013

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court decisions June 26 striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act and refusing to rule on the merits of a challenge to California’s Proposition 8 mark a “tragic day for marriage and our nation,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.

The statement follows.

“Today is a tragic day for marriage and our nation. The Supreme Court has dealt a profound injustice to the American people by striking down in part the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The Court got it wrong. The federal government ought to respect the truth that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, even where states fail to do so. The preservation of liberty and justice requires that all laws, federal and state, respect the truth, including the truth about marriage. It is also unfortunate that the Court did not take the opportunity to uphold California’s Proposition 8 but instead decided not to rule on the matter. The common good of all, especially our children, depends upon a society that strives to uphold the truth of marriage. Now is the time to redouble our efforts in witness to this truth. These decisions are part of a public debate of great consequence. The future of marriage and the well-being of our society hang in the balance.

 

“Marriage is the only institution that brings together a man and a woman for life, providing any child who comes from their union with the secure foundation of a mother and a father.

“Our culture has taken for granted for far too long what human nature, experience, common sense, and God’s wise design all confirm: the difference between a man and a woman matters, and the difference between a mom and a dad matters. While the culture has failed in many ways to be marriage-strengthening, this is no reason to give up. Now is the time to strengthen marriage, not redefine it.

“When Jesus taught about the meaning of marriage – the lifelong, exclusive union of husband and wife – he pointed back to “the beginning” of God’s creation of the human person as male and female (see Matthew 19). In the face of the customs and laws of his time, Jesus taught an unpopular truth that everyone could understand. The truth of marriage endures, and we will continue to boldly proclaim it with confidence and charity.

“Now that the Supreme Court has issued its decisions, with renewed purpose we call upon all of our leaders and the people of this good nation to stand steadfastly together in promoting and defending the unique meaning of marriage: one man, one woman, for life. We also ask for prayers as the Court’s decisions are reviewed and their implications further clarified.”

 

Editors: Background information can be found at: BACKGROUNDER ON PROPOSITION 8 and DOMA

Keywords: marriage, Supreme Court, Proposition 8, Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, U.S. Bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
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St. Joseph's Name Added to Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV

ST. JOSEPH'S NAME ADDED TO EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS II, III, AND IV

Vatican City, 19 June 2013 (VIS) – Today, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a decree, dated 1 May and signed by the prefect of that dicastery, Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, which provides that, after the Blessed Virgin Mary, the name of her husband St. Joseph also be read in the Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV.

“The faithful in the Catholic Church,” reads the decree, “have shown continuous devotion to Saint Joseph and have solemnly and constantly honoured his memory as the most chaste spouse of the Mother of God and as the heavenly Patron of the universal Church. For this reason Blessed Pope John XXIII, in the days of the Most Holy Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, decreed that Saint Joseph’s name be added to the ancient Roman Canon. In response to petitions received from places throughout the world, the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI deemed them worthy of implementation and graciously approved them. The Supreme Pontiff Francis likewise has recently confirmed them. In this the pontiffs had before their eyes the full communion of the Saints who, once pilgrims in this world, now lead us to Christ and unite us with him.”

“As regards the Latin text, these formulas are hereby declared typical. The Congregation itself will soon provide vernacular translations in the more widespread western languages; as for other languages, translations are to be prepared by the Bishops’ Conferences, according to the norm of law, to be confirmed by the Holy See through this dicastery.”

In English, the formulas are:

In Eucharistic Prayer II:

that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,

with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,

with the blessed Apostles ...

In Eucharistic Prayer III:

with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,

with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,

with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs ...

In Eucharistic Prayer IV:

with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,

with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,

and with your Apostles ...

Pilgrims of Charity Around the Globe

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There are many places around the globe where the Church struggles to be a visible sign of charity, but thankfully, the Holy Father is the pilgrim of charity for Catholics everywhere.  In poor dioceses where many are dependent on the church for social and pastoral support; in regions where Catholics are persecuted for their faith; and in nations overloaded with refugees and victims of war and natural disasters, the works done by the Holy Father help the Church extend charity to those most in need.  

The Peter’s Pence Collection gives us the opportunity to be pilgrims of charity around the world.  Our gifts to this annual collection help the Holy Father strengthen dioceses, religious orders, and struggling communities of faith when they need it most. 

Many who struggle to survive rely on pilgrims of charity to assist them through their difficulties.  Please give generously to the Collection and know that in doing so, you become a pilgrim of charity around the globe.

+Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.

Bishop of Peoria

Fortnight of Freedom 2013

Mass to Celebrate End of School Year

We had a wonderful celebration June 5th in recognition of Principals and Pastors.  I wish to thank our three retiring school pastors: Msgr. doug Hennessy, Father Ted Pracz and Msgr. John Prendergast.  I also thank our nine retiring principals: Elizabeth Blachinsky, Rose Costello, Stan Griffin, Jim Kovac, John Meisinger, Dr. James Minick, Jimmie Moore, Bob Rice and Trina Schmidt.

To Listen to the Homily at Mass click here: HOMILY 



Art on display from schools around the diocese



Whole World Unites in Eucharistic Adoration with the Pope

WHOLE WORLD UNITES IN EUCHARISTIC ADORATION WITH POPE IN ST. PETER'S BASILICA

Vatican City, 3 June 2013 (VIS) – For the Solemnity of Corpus Christi yesterday, at 5:00 in the afternoon in St. Peter's Basilica, the Holy Father presided over Eucharistic Adoration, an initiative of the Year of Faith inviting the faithful of all the dioceses of the world to unite spiritually.

It was a historic event. For the first time in the history of the Church all the cathedrals around the world where synchronized to the time in Rome and, for an hour, were in communion with the Pope in Eucharistic Adoration, under the theme of “One Lord, One Faith”. The initiative involved not only the world's cathedrals, but also parishes, religious congregations—mainly cloistered monasteries—and lay associations around the globe.

The Sistine Chapel Choir accompanied Pope Francis' journey along St. Peter's central nave where he prayed for the intentions: “For the Church spread throughout the world and united today in the adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist as a sign of unity. May the Lord make her ever more obedient to hearing his Word in order to stand before the world ‘ever more beautiful, without stain or blemish, but holy and blameless.’ That through her faithful announcement, the Word that saves may still resonate as the bearer of mercy and may increase love to give full meaning to pain and suffering, giving back joy and serenity.”

Pope Francis’ second intention was: “For those around the world who still suffer slavery and who are victims of war, human trafficking, drug running, and slave labour. For the children and women who are suffering from every type of violence. May their silent scream for help be heard by a vigilant Church so that, gazing upon the crucified Christ, she may not forget the many brothers and sisters who are left at the mercy of violence. Also, for all those who find themselves in economically precarious situations, above all for the unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners, and those who experience marginalization. That the Church’s prayer and its active nearness give them comfort and assistance in hope and strength and courage in defending human dignity.”

(c) VIS - Vatican Information Service - 00120 Citta del Vaticano

Thank you to all the parishes in this diocese that joined the Holy Father in Prayer!

Mass to Celebrate all 1st Communicants in the Diocese

To view the homily click here: HOMILY