“A DEFEAT FOR OUR ISLAND AND FOR HUMANITY” The news of this morning that Federal Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood ordered the Government of Guam to immediately begin issuing licenses for same-sex marriage brought me tremendous sadness. This order, and now the man-made law of Guam, is not only a defeat for Christian principles, but also a defeat for our Island and the whole of Humanity. The recognition of a same-sex union, as marriage, destroys the basic fabric of society, and will destroy human beings in the process. Marriage is and will always be a union between two persons of the opposite sex; this union of man and woman must be protected by our Government, not destroyed. More than ever the Church has the task to evangelize even our culture, a culture that has been hit by this Tsunami of Secularization. As I have said before, Guam has the right to regulate the civil effect of the marriage contract; however, it does not have the right to define marriage itself. Why? Because marriage and family, which are the basis of any society is pre-political, and marriage existed before our Government – before Guam existed. For the Government (the State) to claim the right to acknowledge same-sex relationships, as marriage, is the first step in collapsing the vital distinction between the State and Society. This is the road to a totalitarian system. Why? Because now we will see that the State (the Government) will require and demand that the Church accept its redefinition of marriage, by way of anti- discrimination laws. To put same-sex unions at the same level, and same right of the natural family, is unlawful and unjust. Who will suffer the most in this injustice? I FAMAGUON-TA - Our children. Family laws have always searched for the good of the children; the question was always what is the best for the children. We are passing a moment of crises. The Government (The State) by accepting same-sex unions, can no longer refuse these unions, the right of adoption. Today, our Government (the State) sadly is no longer interested in the good of I FAMAGUON-TA. The Battle is not over; there is not yet the definitive word. For me, many words will still be said about this issue. This is still a controversial and complicated issue for our contemporary culture. I truly believe that this act of legalization is contrary to any sign of human progress, either of evolution or civilization, but a step backwards, a reduction in human anthropology. As Shepherd of the local church of Guam, I invite every faithful (politicians and legislators, too) not to deny their faith, but to have the courage to be a witness to the truth - the truth about life, about man, about marriage, about family! Do not be afraid! Christ is the Truth! The truth will set us free! +Most Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap., D.D. Archbishop of Agana, Guam June 5, 2015
The news of this morning that Federal Judge Frances
Tydingco-Gatewood ordered the Government of Guam to immediately
begin issuing licenses for same-sex marriage brought me tremendous
sadness. This order, and now the man-made law of Guam, is not only
a defeat for Christian principles, but also a defeat for our Island
and the whole of Humanity. The recognition of a same-sex union, as
marriage, destroys the basic fabric of society, and will destroy
human beings in the process. Marriage is and will always be a union
between two persons of the opposite sex; this union of man and
woman must be protected by our Government, not destroyed. More than
ever the Church has the task to evangelize even our culture, a
culture that has been hit by this Tsunami of Secularization. As I
have said before, Guam has the right to regulate the civil effect
of the marriage contract; however, it does not have the right to
define marriage itself. Why? Because marriage and family, which are
the basis of any society is pre-political, and marriage existed
before our Government before Guam existed. For the Government (the
State) to claim the right to acknowledge same-sex relationships, as
marriage, is the first step in collapsing the vital distinction
between the State and Society. This is the road to a totalitarian
system. Why? Because now we will see that the State (the
Government) will require and demand that the Church accept its
redefinition of marriage, by way of anti-discrimination laws. To
put same-sex unions at the same level, and same right of the
natural family, is unlawful and unjust. Who will suffer the most in
this injustice? I FAMAGUON-TA - Our children. Family laws have
always searched for the good of the children; the question was
always what is the best for the children. We are passing a moment
of crises. The Government (The State) by accepting same-sex unions,
can no longer refuse these unions, the right of adoption. Today,
our Government (the State) sadly is no longer interested in the
good of I FAMAGUON-TA. The Battle is not over; there is not yet the
definitive word. For me, many words will still be said about this
issue. This is still a controversial and complicated issue for our
contemporary culture. I truly believe that this act of legalization
is contrary to any sign of human progress, either of evolution or
civilization, but a step backwards, a reduction in human
anthropology. As Shepherd of the local church of Guam, I invite
every faithful (politicians and legislators, too) not to deny their
faith, but to have the courage to be a witness to the truth - the
truth about life, about man, about marriage, about family! Do not
be afraid! Christ is the Truth! The truth will set us free!
+Most Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap., D.D. Archbishop
of Agana, Guam
