A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Gerald Wiesner, O.M.I.
to the people of God in the Diocese of Prince George
January 2005
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
As we enter the New Year we are being confronted with something which is very important and which has long term and often, unforeseen consequences. This is something that is integral to our Catholic faith, namely, the understanding of and respect for marriage.
The following reflections are made out of concern for truth and with respect to all persons of varying positions.
At the heart of the issue is that we believe that marriage comes from the hand of God. Coming from the hand of the Creator marriage is understood as the lifetime commitment of one man and one woman to this indissoluble union. Jesus himself reaffirmed this understanding (Mark 10:6-9).
Marriage and the family are the stable context within which new human persons come into the world and are helped to grow to adulthood. Marriage and the family are as old as humanity. The fact that we are made male and female is obviously related to the continuance and survival of the human race.
There are many kinds of relationships in life and each has its own characteristics. Not everyone need be married and everyone, whether married or not, can become more fully human through friendship. The specific characteristic of the marriage relationship, however, is that it is the one in which a man and a woman are joined in mutual love and through that love bring forth new life. Marriage provides the setting in society in which those children are nurtured within the family and are protected by the covenant of marital fidelity. It is true, although sadly, particular marriages often fall short in many ways. This is a vitally important issue that needs to be addressed.
It is generally and traditionally understood that marriage and the family are the foundation of civil society. Marriage and family form a natural community that is more fundamental than the artificial community that is the state. To attempt to radically alter the meaning of marriage itself is to undermine that natural society of the family, which is far more basic than the state. A change in the definition of such a foundational institution as marriage cannot but have far-reaching consequences. The institution of marriage will not be simply modified; it will be irrevocably changed. A change in the definition now will produce a change in lived reality later for everyone. The state really has no authority to change a society that is more fundamental than itself.
Governments have an obligation to safeguard and strengthen marriage because of the contribution that marriage makes to the common good, the building up of society. There is compelling evidence that heterosexual families, into which most children are born, provide the best setting for their healthy formation.
Marriage deserves the protection, affirmation and respect of the state and of all society. Its distinct and essential nature does not change with culture or the passage of time. Marriage is not the effect of chance or the product of evolution of unconscious natural forces. Marriage is the wise institution of the Creator to realize in humankind the divine desire of love.
In view of this we expect our government to support the distinctiveness of marriage and family, as we have known them, for the good of its future citizens.
Although the family in its fullness involves a mother and father and children, our community of faith needs to give real, loving support as well to those who are living in single parent families – those who are facing life after the death of a spouse or separation and divorce – and couples who do not have children. We also need to welcome those who feel alienated from society and from the church because they are personally dealing with the issue of same-sex attraction. Each person, whatever their psychological disposition might be, is supernaturally worthy, loved by God and deserving of our respect.
We need to become involved in the current discussion. This means examining the question clearly and coming to terms with the real issues. We need to exercise our rights as citizens, discuss this matter among ourselves and with others, and communicate with our political leaders. Please take the time to write, e-mail or fax government leaders and your local Member of Parliament registering your objection to the proposal to reinvent the institution of marriage.
Prayer is a mighty force and we need to resort to prayer, invoking God’s help for the wisdom, courage and charity needed at this crucial time in our history.
Bishop Gerald Wiesner, O.M.I.