Bishop of Springfield Thomas Paprocki has issued a formal decree calling on all members of the Catholic faith to enforce the Church’s longstanding policies on the issue of homosexuality.
These policies include no same-sex marriages, no Communion for people in a same-sex union, and no funeral rites for unrepentant homosexuals, among other teachings.
“Jesus Christ himself affirmed the privileged place of marriage in human and Christian society by raising it to the dignity of a sacrament,” stated the Bishop in his decree.
“Consequently, the Church has not only the authority, but the serious obligation, to affirm its authentic teaching on marriage and to preserve and foster the sacred value of the married state…”
He also stated that no member of the clergy are to participate or in any manner be involved in a same-sex marriage ceremony. This includes abstaining from “providing services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges” for the purpose of a gay marriage.
The bishop also decreed that people involved in homosexual relationships are not to be given Holy Communion or funeral rites without first repenting.
He also added that people in same-sex relationships are not permitted to “serve in a public liturgical ministry.”
Rev. Paprocki said that children of homosexual parents may still be baptized, go through the process of Confirmation, and attend Catholic schools.
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