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\n null \/ Credit: Reshetnikov_art\/Shutterstock<\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Puebla, Mexico, Feb 11, 2025 \/ 07:00 am (CNA).<\/p>\n
Being invited to the wedding of a family member or friend is often a cause for joy, but for many Catholics, being invited to a same-sex wedding can precipitate a deep internal conflict. How can one reconcile loyalty to family or a friendship with the teachings of the Church? Is it possible to show love and respect without compromising one\u2019s faith?<\/p>\n
This dilemma, increasingly common in our society, puts one\u2019s conscience to the test and raises complex questions about the practical application of Catholic doctrine in delicate personal situations.<\/p>\n
The Catholic Church is clear on its position <\/a>on marriage and homosexuality, but applying these teachings to personal situations can be challenging. On the one hand, the Church affirms that marriage is an exclusive union between one man and one woman.<\/p>\n On the other hand, it calls on followers of Christ to treat homosexuals with respect and compassion<\/a>, raising difficult questions for those faced with the invitation to a same-sex marriage ceremony.<\/p>\n So, out of \u201ccharity,\u201d can a Catholic attend a homosexual \u201cwedding\u201d?<\/p>\n For Father Hugo Valdemar, who a few years ago was a penitentiary canon \u2014 a priest with the power to absolve the most serious sins, with the exception of those reserved to the Holy See \u2014 \u201cif one has an upright conscience, the answer is no.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbove blood or emotional ties is the truth, and even more so the revealed truth in which God has decreed that marriage can only take place between one man and one woman,\u201d he explained to ACI Prensa, CNA\u2019s Spanish-language news partner. <\/p>\n Father Mario Arroyo, who holds a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and is the author of \u201cLa Iglesia y Los Homosexuales: Un Falso Conflicto<\/a>\u201d (\u201cThe Church and Homosexuals: A False Conflict\u201d), stated that this situation \u201cis not a dogma of faith; that is, it\u2019s a question of prudence, of an application of a moral criterion that does not necessarily have to be followed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis case, that of attending the gay wedding of a loved one, can be classified within what is known as cooperation with evil. In this case, it would be a matter of material cooperation in evil,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cIn principle, we must try to avoid cooperating with evil, because we have an obligation, conversely, to cooperate with good within society. In that context, the first attitude is one of reluctance, that is, trying to avoid participating as long as it does not cause irreparable harm to family life or friendship,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems to me that the criterion that can be used in the case of same-sex weddings is analogous to that of second civil marriages or weddings that are only civil and not religious,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf participation can be avoided, it\u2019s better, by explaining the reasons to the people, in this case to the contracting parties, why it goes against a person\u2019s conscience and beliefs,\u201d he said but warned that \u201cif that attitude is going to cause great harm, a total break, a complete breakup of family life, exceptions can be considered.\u201d<\/p>\n In such a case, he said, this cooperation with evil would have to \u201cbe material, never formal. That is, never express joy or happiness at the fact that two people of the same sex get married, but simply attend a ceremony taking into account that the great harm of cutting off all communication cannot be avoided.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn this sense, he warned that \u201cthere are differences between attending as a simple spectator and having an active role,\u201d so \u201cit is preferable to avoid having an active role as godfather or as a witness.\u201d<\/p>\n Valdemar is more blunt in this regard. \u201cNeither of the two things is [something] licit, but it is even worse to participate as a witness to a pseudo marriage such as one between persons of the same sex.\u201d<\/p>\n Valdemar, who for more than 15 years was director of communications for the Archdiocese of Mexico under Cardinal Norberto Rivera, the problem with attending a ceremony like this is that of causing scandal.<\/p>\n \u201cParticipation in such an act cannot be neutral,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is a validation and justification of an act that in itself is intrinsically immoral and contrary to the law of God,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Arroyo agrees with this risk, which is why \u201cin general terms, participation in these ceremonies should be avoided.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it is impossible to do so because the rupture that would occur would be irreparable, the rupture of family communion or communion of friendship, one can participate in the ceremony, but knowing that the price is that some people may be scandalized,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n In the case of choosing not to participate in the ceremony, Arroyo advised \u201cto explain with charity to those interested and to show in some way or another a gesture of closeness with the person who is one of your relatives and who is involved in the ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can give them a rosary, you can give them a Bible, you can invite them over for dinner. That is, some or another form of participation in interpersonal communion that does not include the legitimization of sexual cohabitation between two people of the same sex.\u201d<\/p>\n Valdemar said he agrees with this approach: \u201cThere are many moments in daily or occasional times together to show closeness and affection. The loved one must be made to understand that even though you can\u2019t attend an event such as a civil marriage, this does not mean that you reject the person and that he or she can count on your closeness and support.\u201d<\/p>\n When faced with the dilemma of attending or not attending a ceremony of this type, Arroyo advises \u201ctaking the matter to prayer, to your personal prayer, to weigh things calmly, serenely, dispassionately, the pros and cons of this participation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe cons are very clear: It can cause scandal and give the impression that you\u2019re blessing or agreeing with two people of the same sex getting married,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the other hand, it is necessary to assess whether this break in the relationship, whether this absence at the ceremony would not be understood by those involved and would be interpreted as totally breaking off relations, which would prevent these people from coming closer to communion with God in the near future or later on,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Valdemar encouraged Catholics who find themselves in this situation not to be \u201cled only by their feelings or by social and family pressure, [because] Christian principles are more important. In the long run, preserving these principles is what can help the most.\u201d<\/p>\n Dit verhaal <\/em>werd voor het eerst gepubliceerd<\/em><\/a> door ACI Prensa, de Spaanstalige nieuwspartner van CNA. Het is vertaald en bewerkt door CNA.<\/em><\/p>\nThe danger of scandal<\/h2>\n
What to do when faced with the dilemma?<\/h2>\n