27 prominent Catholics in England & Wales have signed a letter to The Times newspaper expressing a right to differ from Catholic bishops over the Government’s proposals for equal civil marriage for same sex couples. The letter, published this morning, was signed by Catholic theologians James Alison, Tina Beattie, Mary Grey, Kevin Kelly, & Gerard Loughlin, as well as a number of parish-based clergy, educationalists, and laity active in various movements for social justice, church reform, and renewal. (I was myself one of the signatories).
It is notable that LGBT Catholics, who could be expected to support the sentiments of the letter, were joined by heterosexual members of the Church amongst the letter’s signatories. It is further notable that while stating their disagreement with the bishops’ stated position on same - sex marriage, this disagreement is based on the English church’s own stated policies. They use principles of social justice, the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales pastoral guidelines for ministry with homosexual people, and Cardinal Basil Hume’s 1997 observations on Church teaching to say that Catholics might reach varying conclusions in these matters and “suggest that it is perfectly proper for Catholics, using their fully informed consciences, to support the legal extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples.”
The letter also refers to the late Cardinal Basil Hume’s 1997 observations regarding Catholic teaching on homosexual people, that if “love between two persons, whether of the same sex, or of a different sex is to be treasured and respected,” then this requires that such loving relationships be afforded social recognition according to social justice principles. The letter also emphasises the strong commitment made in the hierarchy’s 1979 Pastoral Guidelines that, “The Church has a serious responsibility to work towards the elimination of any injustices perpetrated on homosexuals by society.”
Sir, Not all Catholics share their hierarchy’s stated views against proposals to extend civil marriage to same-sex couples. Nevertheless, the submission by the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales to the Government’s equal civil marriage consultation indicates a growing understanding about legislating for same-sex unions, compared with its 2003 position, when it firmly opposed civil partnerships.
It seems to us, as Catholic laity, theologians and clergy, important to uphold some key pastoral care principles used by the Catholic Church in England & Wales. Its 1979 guidelines stated that the Church has a serious responsibility to work towards the elimination of any injustices perpetrated on homosexuals by society.
In 1997 Cardinal Hume wrote that love between two persons, whether of the same sex, or of a different sex, is to be treasured and respected. This respect demands that such loving relationships be afforded social recognition according to social justice principles. He proposed three criteria for considering issues of social policy: are there reasonable grounds for judging that the institution of marriage and the family could, and would be undermined by a change in law? Would society’s rejection of a proposed change be more harmful to the common good than the acceptance of such a change? Does a person’s sexual orientation or activity constitute, in specific circumstances, a sufficient reason for treating that person in any way differently from other citizens? We suggest that it is perfectly proper for Catholics, using fully informed consciences, to support the legal extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples.
James Alison (theologian & priest), Tina Beattie (theologian), Mary Grey (theologian), Bernard Lynch (priest), Martin Pendergast (Chair, Centre for the Study of Christianity & Sexuality and 22 others, whose names may be seen at thetimes.co.uk/letters
FULL LIST OF SIGNATORIES:
(in alphabetical order - 27 signatories)
James Alison Theologian & priest
Ruby Almeida Chair of Quest (LGBT Catholics)
Tina Beattie Theologian
Mike Castelli Educationalist
Mark Dowd Journalist
Michael Egan Chair, Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement
Maria Exall Chair, TUC LGBT Committee
John Falcone Theologian
Eileen Fitzpatrick Educationalist
Kieran Fitszimons Priest
Mary Grey Theologian
Kevin Kelly Theologian & priest
Ted Le Riche Retired educationalist
Bernard Lynch Priest
Gerard Loughlin Theologian
Francis McDonagh Lay-person
Patrick McLoughlin Priest
Anthony Maggs Priest
Lorraine Milford Lay-person
Frank Nally Priest
Martin Pendergast Chair, Centre for the Study of Christianity & Sexuality
Sophie Stanes Lay-person
Joe Stanley Lay-person
Valerie Stroud Chair, Catholics for a Changing Church
Terry Weldon Editor, Queering the Church
Matias Wibowo Lay-person
Deborah Woodman Clinical Psychologist
Related articles
- Surging Catholic Support for Gay Marriage, Gay Adoption (US) (queeringthechurch.com)
- Casey Michel on Archbishop Nienstedt’s “Crusade Against Gay Marriage” (thewildreed.blogspot.com)
- Equal civil marriage: some developments (thinkinganglicans.org.uk)
- Thoughts on “A Fortunate Family” Reflection (queeringthechurch.com)
- Let’s Hear It For Catholic Leaders Who Defend Marriage Equality! (queerchurchnews.wordpress.com)
I’ve not heard of any of them. Awkward.
IF you are UK-based and Catholic then you should already know that Tina Beattie and Mary Grey are two leading women theologians; Kevin Kelly is a leading moral theologian; James Alison, one of the best theologians in the English-speaking world; Gerard Loughlin, Professor of Theology at Durham - others are well known priests and lay people - otherwise, perhaps you should get out more?