Bishop's statement

The bishops have issued a useful summary in many respects, but needing at least one caveat.

“…it can justly give married couples rights and benefits it does not extend to others.” I find this kind of language troubling, implying as it might that the state is prior to the family and to the marriage bond that is its seal and guarantor. It may be that benefits from society or the state can be described as gift, but surely the rights are inherent in the nature of marriage itself, a nature that not only invites, but demands, recognition and protection.

Not to pick nits, and I agree that the statement is generally helpful, but carelessness in using the language of rights, or a seeming equation of rights with benefits, invites a confusion of categories and promotes an equivocal message. Neither is helpful in defending Christian principle, and the stakes are very high.

Grace and peace.