Marriage is not for government to ‘ define or redefine ,’ says bishop
The Valley Catholic marriage & family life
April 23 , 2013 7
Marriage is not for government to ‘ define or redefine ,’ says bishop
WILMINGTON , Del . ( CNS ) -- Marriage “ is a unique relationship between a man and a woman ” and it ’ s not the government ’ s place to “ define or redefine ” it , Bishop W . Francis Malooly of Wilmington said in an April 15 letter to Delaware legislators . The letter was sent four days after Gov . Jack Markell announced a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the state .
In 2011 , Delaware legalized civil unions for same-sex couples . While the government can regulate marriage , Bishop Malooly wrote , it ’ s “ not theirs to define or redefine its essential makeup . It remains God ’ s design , a permanent union between a man and a woman .”
Catherine of Siena 1347-1380 • April 29
He said his letter was not written “ to attack anyone , but rather to join the current public debate about marriage and to voice once again the God-given meaning and purpose of marriage .” Bishop Malooly acknowledged the current notion that marriage is “ just about love and commitment between two people ,” an argument that supports the redefining of marriage to include persons of the same sex .
However , the bishop told lawmakers , while marriage is about love , “ it is also about the unique expression of love that only a man and woman as husband and wife can give to each other .”
Catherine was the 24th of 25 children of a Sienese dyer ; her mystical experiences and raptures began at age 6 . She refused to marry , and about 1367 joined the Third Order of St . Dominic . She attracted a likeminded group in Siena for prayer and good works , and devoted her last five years to church unity and ending the scandal of rival papacies . Though she experienced the pain of the stigmata , it became visible only after her death at 33 . And , in an odd division of relics , her body is in a Roman church , while her head is in a Sienese church . Named a doctor of the church in 1970 , Catherine is a patron saint of Europe and Italy , and the patron of fire prevention , nurses and nursing .
marriage minute
Other-centeredness
By Paul & Stephanie Francois Worldwide Marriage Encounter
How many of us have ever heard that a good marriage requires hard work ? We ’ ve all heard this but what is less common is getting specific pointers on what that hard work involves and how to go about doing it successfully .
One of the many forms this hard work can take is learning to be less self-centered and more other-centered . What does that look like in practical terms ?
Becoming more other-centered involves a conversion of our heart where we seek the good of our spouse and the good of our relationship before considering our own personal needs .
I might really want a new car . I might even be able to make a solid case for needing one , but my spouse might be concerned about finances and whether we can afford it .
Pushing for getting my way is self-centered . Truly listening to my spouse ’ s concerns , validating them , and working toward a solution we both feel good about is other-centered . After all , what good would it do me to drive around in a new car if my beloved and I are out of sorts with each other ?
Whether we ’ re facing a decision as big as buying a car or as small as how to spend our weekend , being other-centered means putting the good of my spouse and our relationship ahead of my own wants and needs . It ’ s a view of the world through the lens of what ’ s best for us rather than what ’ s best for me .
Ideally , this would carry over to our every thought , word and deed with each other . Ultimately , we would view every aspect of our marriage through this lens . For more information on creating a joy-filled marriage , visit : www . lovemoredeeply . org . www . dsj . org