Bishop DiMarzio speaks out against homosexual "marriage"

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.... If they persecuted me, they will persecute you."
 – John 15:18,20

Bishop DiMarzio of the diocese of Brooklyn, NY has come out with a courageous statement condemning New York lawmakers for approving homosexual "marriage". Unlike Archbishop Dolan of New York, DiMarzio has chosen to speak out forcefully and has backed up his words with actions.

As a result Bishop DiMarzio has been ruthlessly attacked by the secular press. In the name of "tolerance", the most intolerant statements imaginable have been launched at the brave bishop. They have gone as far as to call him a "thug". While at the same time they heap high praise on the Catholic-in-name-only Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo.

This is what persecution of the Church in the 3rd millennium looks like. It is not a public stoning, but being subjected to wave after wave of public ridicule and alienation. And being turned into a pariah, not welcome among the secular society. The secularists rule society with an iron fist through their domination of the mass media, but at the same time they disseminate the myth that their is a vast Christian conspiracy to force society to adopt a Christian world view. They freely toss about words of accusation like "bigot" while adopting a zero-tolerance attitude towards practicing Christians.

As Christians, none of us should bow down to the radical secularists that will never be satisfied until the last hint of Christianity is struck from American society. Too bad for them that this is still a Christian nation, and that Christianity has tasted this type of persecution before and has emerged triumphant. Just look at the recent example of Poland after decades of oppression under an atheistic communist regime.

Here is a video of Bishop DiMarzio speaking about his great disappointment at the decision arrived at by the lawmakers. Notice that he mentions the large amounts of money that drove the decision to pass the homosexual "marriage" bill in New York. (The segment with the Bishop begins at around 2:30 in the video. The video should jump right to that starting point.)



And here is the complete statement released by Bishop DiMarzio which has resulted in his being so viciously attacked in the secular media.

Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature have deconstructed the single most important institution in human history. Republicans and Democrats alike succumbed to powerful political elites and have passed legislation that will undermine our families and as a consequence, our society.

With this vote, Governor Cuomo has opened a new front in the culture wars that are tearing at the fabric of our nation. At a time when so many New Yorkers are struggling to stay in their homes and find jobs, we should be working together to solve these problems. However, the politicians have curried favor with wealthy donors who are proponents of a divisive agenda in order to advance their own careers and futures.

What is needed in our state is leadership and not political gamesmanship.

In light of these disturbing developments and in protest for this decision, I have asked all Catholic schools to refuse any distinction or honors bestowed upon them this year by the governor or any member of the legislature who voted to support this legislation. Furthermore, I have asked all pastors and principals to not invite any state legislator to speak or be present at any parish or school celebration.

The above request is intended as a protest of the corrupt political process in New York State. More than half of all New Yorkers oppose this legislation. Yet, the governor and the state legislature have demonized people of faith, whether they be Muslims, Jews, or Christians, and identified them as bigots and prejudiced, and voted in favor of same-sex “marriage.” It is mystifying that this bill would be passed on the last day of an extended session under the cover of darkness.

This issue has been framed as upholding marriage equality. This is not the case since one of the principal purposes of marriage is to bring new life into the world. This cannot happen in same-sex marriage. It is not a civil rights issue, but rather a human rights issue upholding the age-old understanding of marriage. Our political leaders do not believe their own rhetoric. If they did, how in good conscience could they carve out any exemption for institutions that would be proponents of bigotry and prejudice?

Republicans and Democrats equally share responsibility for this ruinous legislation and we as Catholics should hold all accountable for their actions.