The Times of London, England, has published a letter to the editor today from 27 prominent British Catholics expressing support for the United Kingdom’s proposed legislation to legalize same-gender marriage. The 27 signatories include James Alison (theologian & priest), Tina Beattie (theologian), Mary Grey (theologian), Bernard Lynch (priest), Martin Pendergast (Chair, Centre for the Study of Christianity & Sexuality).
The text of the letter reads:
“Sir, Not all Catholics share their hierarchy’s stated views against proposals to extend civil marriage to same-sex couples. Nevertheless, the submission by the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales to the Government’s equal civil marriage consultation indicates a growing understanding about legislating for same-sex unions, compared with its 2003 position, when it firmly opposed civil partnerships.
“It seems to us, as Catholic laity, theologians and clergy, important to uphold some key pastoral care principles used by the Catholic Church in England & Wales. Its 1979 guidelines stated that the Church has a serious responsibility to work towards the elimination of any injustices perpetrated on homosexuals by society.
“In 1997 Cardinal Hume wrote that love between two persons, whether of the same sex, or of a different sex, is to be treasured and respected. This respect demands that such loving relationships be afforded social recognition according to social justice principles. He proposed three criteria for considering issues of social policy: are there reasonable grounds for judging that the institution of marriage and the family could, and would be undermined by a change in law? Would society’s rejection of a proposed change be more harmful to the common good than the acceptance of such a change? Does a person’s sexual orientation or activity constitute, in specific circumstances, a sufficient reason for treating that person in any way differently from other citizens? We suggest that it is perfectly proper for Catholics, using fully informed consciences, to support the legal extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples.”The full list of signers:
James Alison, Theologian & priest
Ruby Almeida , Chair of Quest (LGBT Catholics)
Tina Beattie , Theologian
Mike Castelli , Educationalist
Mark Dowd , Journalist
Michael Egan , Chair, Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement
Maria Exall , Chair, Trade Unions Congress LGBT Committee
John Falcone , Theologian
Eileen Fitzpatrick , Educationalist
Kieran Fitszimons , Priest
Mary Grey , Theologian
Kevin Kelly , Theologian & priest
Ted Le Riche , Retired educationalist
Bernard Lynch , Priest
Gerard Loughlin , Theologian
Francis McDonagh , Lay-person
Patrick McLoughlin , Priest
Anthony Maggs , Priest
Lorraine Milford , Lay-person
Frank Nally, Priest
Martin Pendergast, Chair, Centre for the Study of Christianity & Sexuality
Sophie Stanes, Lay-person
Joe Stanley , Lay-person
Valerie Stroud, Chair, Catholics for a Changing Church
Terry Weldon, Editor, Queering the Church
Matias Wibowo, Lay-person
Deborah Woodman, Clinical Psychologist