CHICAGO — One of the most high-profile religious leaders who opposed Illinois’ new same-sex marriage legislation says the law will have consequences for the church and society.
Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George has written a letter that was included in all church bulletins throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago on Sunday.
In the letter, George claims that while the law “has made some gays and lesbians happy,” the law itself however, “is bad law because it will contribute over the long run to the further dissolution of marriage and family life, which are the bedrock of any society.”
He also says that all people must be respected without exception.
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George also brings up a controversial interview with Pope Francis published worldwide in September, in which the pontiff called for the church to lessen its focus on homosexuality, abortion and contraception and instead be more merciful to all of its members.
“The Pope was not speaking about approving gay marriage. To use his words against his teaching, as they were used on the floor of the State House of Representatives of November 5, is less than intellectually honest,” George writes.
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Gov. Pat Quinn will sign legislation later this week to make Illinois the next state to allow same-sex marriage.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, leader of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield, has said he will preside over a prayer service of “supplication and exorcism” on Wednesday week to coincide with the signing ceremony.
