Bishop Henry Speaks on Implications of Same-Sex "Marriage"
 

In Canada, where same-sex "marriage" became legal in June 2004, a social revolution is underway. Some people argue that same-sex marriage wouldn't change anybody else's marriage but merely expand the institution to provide equal rights for all. What has happened in Canada in recent months suggests a different story.

Bishop Frederick Henry of the Catholic Diocese of Calgary, Alberta, has been at the forefront of Canada's battle over marriage. He recently spoke to the Minnesota Pastors Summit - a ground-breaking interdenominational conference of Catholic and Protestant pastors - at Grace Church in Eden Prairie.

He said that Canadians, too, were originally told that same-sex marriage was just a small step to promote 'inclusiveness.' "But today in Canada a social revolution is underway," he said. How could a simple law redefining marriage as a union "two persons" have such a revolutionary effect'? Bishop Henry said there are two reasons:

First, marriage is Western society's most fundamental institution. As such, it is embedded throughout our law, child­rearing practices and culture in general. When marriage is redefined, other social institutions are likewise transformed.

Second, when male-female marriage and same-sex "marriage" become equal in the eyes of the law, treating them differently becomes discrimination. In Canada, "privileging" male-female marriage in any way is now a violation of human rights.

According to Bishop Henry, "Canadians who believe in the historic definition of marriage, who believe that children need a mother and father, are now the legal equivalent of racists."

Today, Canada is combing through its laws and institutions to remove evidence of "heterosexist" discrimination. Terms such as "husband" and "wife" are now forbidden across the spectrum of Canadian law and government programs. The legal meaning of parenthood is being trans­formed, with consequences no one can predict.

Bishop Henry says Canadian schools are becoming battlegrounds. "Children will have to be taught about homosexual acts in health class, as they now are about heterosexual acts. Books that promote same-sex "marriage" are being introduced in some elementary schools. In one action, complainants have demanded 'positive queer role models' across the whole curriculum. If parents complain, they'll be branded as homophobes."

Sounds farfetched? People who disagree with same-sex "marriage" risk charges of hate speech. In British Columbia, teacher Chris Kempling has been found guilty - and disciplined - for defending male-female marriage in newspaper opinion pieces. Bishop Henry himself has been hauled before the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal for promoting traditional marriage in his pastoral letters. "The human rights tribunals have become like thought police," he says. "In Canada, you can now use the coercive powers of he state to silence opposition."

Although the new Canadian federal law claims to exempt people from sanctions for expressing a belief in traditional marriage, Bishop Henry says the provision will likely prove meaningless. "The courts and
provincial governments, not the federal government, have the competence to decide such matters."

Ironically, only a small fraction of homosexual Canadians have taken advantage of their new right. Bishop Henry said a church in Calgary offered a marriage-preparation course for same-sex couples but had to cancel it because only one couple showed up. Bishop Henry added: If someone tells you same-sex "marriage" won't affect your marriage, tell them to look at Canada. The evidence is building.

 

http://www.endeavourforum.org.au/feb06-14.htm

 

 

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