Catholic Church Welcomes SC Verdict on Same-Sex Marriage

Verghese V Joseph –

New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) welcomed the verdict of the Supreme Court of India, which has refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages.

“The decision reaffirmed the institution of traditional marriage, rooted in the sacred teachings and values held by the Catholic Church and many other faiths” said a press release issued by CBCI.

The note further said, “Marriage, according to the Catholic Church, is a union exclusively between a man and a woman, who, through the mutual self-gift, are dedicated to the procreation and upbringing ofnew human lives. This understanding of marriage views Christian marriage as a sacrament and a symbol of the covenant between Christ and the Church.”

On Tuesday, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court that was headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, unanimously ruled against legalising same sex marriage in India today (October 17). The bench also ruled in a 3:2 verdict against civil unions for non-heterosexual couples. It comprised Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha.

The CJI has left it to the Parliament to decide on the issue. The CJI and Justice Kaul batted for civil unions for non-heterosexual couples. The CJI added that the SC cannot strike down the provisions of the Special Marriage Act (SMA) or read words differently. The focus of the petitions filed is the gender-neutral interpretation of the SMA. It is a secular legislation designed to facilitate inter-caste and inter-faith marriages. The petitioners have sought a broader interpretation of the SMA to include same-sex marriages too.

The CBCI made it clear that the Catholic Church believed and held that homosexual unions were fundamentally different from the divine plan for marriage. “Homosexual acts are deemed contrary to the natural moral law, and sacred scriptures condemn them,” the note added.

At the same time the Catholic Church emphasized the need to treat individuals with same-sex
attractions with respect, compassion, and sensitivity, rejecting any unjust discrimination. Such individuals are encouraged, like all Christians, to live the virtue of chastity, the note stated.

The CBCI said that it remained committed to promoting respect, compassion, and understanding among all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or beliefs. “We continue to stand by our teachings that emphasize the sanctity of marriage and family life,” the release added.

The top court had heard the arguments over 10 days in April and May. Arguments ranging from the right to equality to the right to privacy, the legal privileges and rights bestowed by marriage, and the impact of same sex marriages on children were made. Those opposing the petitioners included the Central government, the national child rights body NCPCR, and the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind, a body of Islamic scholars.