Discerning Hearts shares a newly released video by Archbishop John Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis, in which he explains how new definitions of marriage could seriously harm society. This issue is a difficult subject to articulate compassionately to family, friends and others who misunderstand the Church’s important pastoral teaching on marriage. Archbishop Nienstedt offers a helpful instruction concerning the traditional view of marriage in relation to same-sex “marriage” initiatives. He speaks about current efforts in Minnesota, but what he has to say can be used as a general instruction for all.
In addition to his defense of marriage as a matter of both faith and basic human reason, the Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis carefully articulates the Church’s position of compassion toward individuals forced to bring up children alone, as well as those who experience same-sex attractions.
“The Church’s teaching on marriage,” he affirms, “is not a condemnation of homosexual persons as human beings. It is simply a reflection, not only of the Scriptures, but of the unique, procreative nature of the male-female bond.”
