American Samoa is the only U.S. territory to hold out against the recent Supreme Court ruling that legalised gay marriage. Legal observers and gay rights advocates are saying it should go into effect immediately. American Samoa Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale hasn’t been ready to take that step. “We’re still reviewing the decision to determine Read more
A same-sex marriage campaigner has recommended Tasmanians offended by a pastoral letter from Australia’s Catholic bishops complain to authorities. A pastoral letter from the bishops titled “Don’t mess with marriage” was sent home with students of Catholic high schools in several archdioceses, including Hobart. It stressed both respect for all and respect for the unique Read more
The union between a man and a woman and its definition predates the state and church but now the bond had been defined as “marriage” said the Archbishop of Suva, Peter Loy Chong. He was speaking on the issue in the light of the United States Supreme Court decision upholding same gender marriage. “Firstly, it’s Read more
The Church risks alienating two generations of believers if it has a defensive and strident reaction to the US Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage. That was the warning issued by researcher Kaya Oakes after an historic 5-4 US Supreme Court ruling affirming the right of same-sex couples to marry throughout the nation. The ruling’s interpretation of the Read more
A Brisbane priest has hit out against the distribution to school children of a letter from Australia’s bishops arguing against same-sex marriage. The decision to publish and distribute the “Don’t Mess with Marriage” booklet in Catholic schools across Australia has angered Fr Terry Fitzpatrick. “I feel angry and disappointed, but not surprised, that the hierarchy Read more
An Australian Christian couple has vowed to divorce if Australia allows same-sex couples to marry. Nick and Sarah Jensen believe that widening the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples would threaten the sacred nature of the union. They also fear it would leave the door open for polygamy. The Jensens have been happily married Read more
An Australian bishop has warned that if same-sex marriage is legalised, children of gay couples will eventually see themselves as another Stolen Generation. Port Pirie diocese’s Bishop Greg O’Kelly, SJ, issued a letter in which he stated that same-sex and traditional marriage were like comparing apples and pears. “The nature of marriage between two same-sex Read more
Earlier in the year, in Guam, a same gender couple launched legal action after being refused a marriage licence. Loretta M. Pangelinan and Kathleen M. Aguero, both 28, sued after the registrar refused them a license because Guam law defines marriage as a union between two people of the opposite sex. The Attorney-General said a Read more
Australia’s Catholic bishops have issued a pastoral letter titled “Don’t Mess with Marriage” as debate on same-sex marriage gains momentum. Released by the bishops’ Commission for Family, Youth and Life, the letter highlights the meaning of marriage and also spells out implications of redefining marriage. The bishops state that in issuing the letter, they want Read more
Ireland, once dubbed “the most Catholic country in the world” by the future Pope Paul VI, has become the first country in the world to adopt same-sex marriage by means of a popular vote. For months, opinion polls had been consistent is showing huge levels of support for the constitutional amendment to re-define marriage. On Read more