New Zealand Bishops respond to legalisation of same-sex "marriage"
(Vatican Radio) New Zealand's parliament voted in favour of allowing so-called "same-sex
marriage" on Wednesday, making it the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to
do so.
The nation’s Bishops have consistently opposed the re-definition of
marriage. “We find it bizarre that what has been discarded is an understanding of
marriage that has its origin in human nature and common to every culture, and that
almost all references to husband and wife will be removed from legislation referencing
marriage. We know many New Zealanders stand with us in this,” said Archbishop John
Dew, President of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference.
“Marriage is the essential
human institution that predates religion and state. It is a committed union between
a man and a woman which has a natural orientation towards the procreation of new human
life,” Archbishop Dew said.
“Marriage is founded on sexual difference and the
traditional definition of marriage reflects this unique reality,”
“This uniqueness
requires a name and definition which distinguishes marriage from any other form of
relationship,” he said.
“We’ve been assured that our religious freedom to teach
and practice marriage according to our religious beliefs is protected and we will
continue to ensure that this freedom is upheld.” Archbishop John Dew said.