PDX Archbishop on Gay Marriage Measure


By Portland Archdiocese

Statement from the Oregon Catholic Conference Concerning Proposed Redefinition of Marriage

Marriage is the conjugal union of one man and one woman, consistent with God’s design. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

God himself is the author of marriage. The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator. Marriage is not a purely human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures, and spiritual attitudes. The well-being of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life.

As Pope Francis very recently stated, “marriage is between a man and a woman.” Marriage mirrors God’s relationship with us. Its very nature is ordered to the sexual complementarity of men and women. The future of humanity passes through the union of one man and one woman.

Marriage is a unique and profoundly good relationship that benefits men and women, any children born of their union, and society itself. Any other pairing – even one that involves love and commitment – is not marriage.

The Oregon Constitution affirms this inherent understanding of marriage. The Oregon Catholic Conference anticipates participating in the campaign to oppose repealing marriage between one man and one woman in Oregon. We will do so with a spirit of love and respect for those who may disagree with us, but we will do so with a firm commitment to boldly speak the truth of marriage.


Disclaimer: Articles featured on Oregon Report are the creation, responsibility and opinion of the authoring individual or organization which is featured at the top of every article.