(Vatican Radio) The Archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore Cordileone, has responded to calls to back out of an appearance at a “March for Marriage” event set to take place in Washington D.C. on June 19.
In an open letter, Archbishop Cordileone said he appreciated the affirmation of “the intrinsic human dignity of all people, irrespective of their stage and condition in life.” He noted that this principle “requires us to respect and protect each and every member of the human family, from the precious child in the womb to the frail elderly person nearing death.”
At the same time, the Archbishop said, “It also requires me, as a bishop, to proclaim the truth—the whole truth—about the human person and God’s will for our flourishing. I must do that in season and out of season, even when truths that it is my duty to uphold and teach are unpopular, including especially the truth about marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife.”
He also addressed some of the concerns expressed about the event. The March for Marriage, he said, is not “anti-LGBT (as some have described it); it is not anti-anyone or anti-anything. Rather, it is a pro-marriage March.” He also noted that accusations concerning those taking part in the event are, at least in part “based on misinformation” or is “factually incorrect.”
Responding to concerns about the tone of rhetoric in the debate, Archbishop Cordileone said, “It gives me assurance that we share a common disdain for harsh and hateful rhetoric. It must be pointed out, though, that there is plenty of offensive rhetoric which flows in the opposite direction.” He noted that supporters of traditional marriage have faced harassment, threats to their jobs, and even physical violence.
Archbishop Cordileone concluded his letter with an appeal to his readers: “Please do not make judgments based on stereotypes, media images and comments taken out of context. Rather, get to know us first as fellow human beings. I myself am willing to meet personally with any of you not only to dialogue, but simply so that we can get to know each other. It is the personal encounter that changes the vision of the other and softens the heart.”
In the end, Archbishop Cordileone said, “love is the answer, and this can happen even between people with such deep disagreements. That may sound fanciful and far-fetched, but it is true, it is possible. I know it is possible, I know this from personal experience. When we come together seeking to understand the other with good will, miracles can happen.”
Below, please find the complete text of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s letter on the his participation in the March for Marriage:
June 16, 2014
Dear Fellow Citizens,
Your letter sharing with me your thoughts on the upcoming “March for Marriage” in Washington, D.C., was forwarded to me while I was attending meetings out of town, and I have reflected on what you have to say. I appreciate your affirmation of my Church’s teaching—not unique to our religion, but a truth accessible to anyone of good will—on the intrinsic human dignity of all people, irrespective of their stage and condition in life. That principle requires us to respect and protect each and every member of the human family, from the precious child in the womb to the frail elderly person nearing death. It also requires me, as a bishop, to proclaim the truth—the whole truth—about the human person and God’s will for our flourishing. I must do that in season and out of season, even when truths that it is my duty to uphold and teach are unpopular, including especially the truth about marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife. That is what will be doing on June 19th.
With regard to your request that I not attend the March, and the reasons you give for this request, allow me to explain the following points.
The March for Marriage is not “anti-LGBT” (as some have described it); it is not
anti-anyone or anti-anything. Rather, it is a pro-marriage March. The latter does
not imply the former. Rather, it affirms the great good of bringing the two halves
of humanity together so that a man and a woman may bond with each other and with any
children who come from their union. This is precisely the vision promoted by Pope
Francis, who recently said, “We must reaffirm the right of children to grow up in
a family with a father and mother.” Rest assured that if the point of this event were
to single out a group of individuals and target them for hatred, I most certainly
would not be there.
While I cannot go into all of the details here of your allegations against the sponsors
of this event and scheduled speakers, I do know that at least some of what you say
is based on misinterpretation or is simply factually incorrect. For example, it is
not true that the National Organization for Marriage connects homosexuality with pedophilia
and incest. What is true is that three years ago a conference was sponsored in Baltimore
by the group B4U-ACT for the purpose of finding ways to encourage tolerance for pedophilia.
A statement on NOM’s blogpost objecting to this conference affirmed that this is something
that would outrage people in the gay community as well. Unfortunately, many conclusions
are being drawn about those involved in the March for Marriage based on false impressions.
It gives me assurance that we share a common disdain for harsh and hateful rhetoric.
It must be pointed out, though, that there is plenty of offensive rhetoric which flows
in the opposite direction. In fact, for those who support the conjugal understanding
of marriage, the attacks have not stopped at rhetoric. Simply for taking a stand for
marriage as it has been understood in every human society for millennia, people have
lost their jobs, lost their livelihoods, and have suffered other types of retribution,
including physical violence. It is true that historically in our society violence
has been perpetrated against persons who experience attraction to members of the same
sex, and this is to be deplored and eradicated. Sadly, though, we are now beginning
to see examples, although thankfully not widespread, of even physical violence against
those who hold to the conjugal view of marriage (such as, most notably, the attempted
gunning down of those who work in the offices of the Family Research Council). While
it is true that free speech can be used to offend others, it is not so much people
exercising their right to free speech that drives us further apart than people punished
precisely for doing so that does.
Please do not make judgments based on stereotypes, media images and comments taken
out of context. Rather, get to know us first as fellow human beings. I myself am willing
to meet personally with any of you not only to dialogue, but simply so that we can
get to know each other. It is the personal encounter that changes the vision of the
other and softens the heart.
In the end, love is the answer, and this can happen even between people with such deep disagreements. That may sound fanciful and far-fetched, but it is true, it is possible. I know it is possible, I know this from personal experience. When we come together seeking to understand the other with good will, miracles can happen.
When all is said and done, then, there is only one thing that I would ask of you more than anything else: before you judge us, get to know us.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Salvatore Cordileone
Archbishop of San Francisco
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