May 04 2010
Relativism Perverting Moral Conduct
Consider the following question asked on a popular “Catholic” forum:
My state of residence has recently adopted new laws (without consent of the people) which allow for two people of the same sex to marry. A member of my parish who also happens to be our Deputy County Recorder is the named official who places his signature on the marriage document confirming the state’s approval of same sex marriage. This man also serves as a Eucharistic Minister in our parish and seems to have no problem justifying his role in promoting same sex marriage. I mentioned this to my wife after Mass yesterday and she doesn’t seem to have a problem with it but suggested that I ask one of your apologist’s. I’m in disagreement with her as I believe this man is in direct disobedience of Church teaching and is setting a very bad example by continuing to serve as an E.M. What does Fr. Vincent or an apologist have to say about this matter?
And the answer:
I think that your statement that his signature confirms the state’s approval of same sex marriage is significant. He is representing the state and not himself. I doubt that anyone who has been married in your county cares that he is the one whose signature appears on his or her document of marriage. I doubt that they even notice the name, let alone know whom it signifies.
Also I realize that saying that he “happens” to be the deputy county recorder is a figure of speech that we all use. But actually, he didn’t just happen to get that job. It sounds like it is the way he makes his living.
Personally, I would not be thrilled about having my name on the marriage documents of gays—nor anyone else who is not validly married such as the many divorcees on whose documents his signature appears. I think you need to let this one go.
Sorry, but the answer is flat out wrong. One cannot separate the teachings of the Church from how the conduct their life in the world. So-called “same sex” marriage is immoral and we, as Catholics, cannot give any approval, even if it is implicit in nature. This is a scandal and must be dealt with. In my opinion the person involved must be removed from any “ministry in the Church” until this situation is resolved.
However, this brings up a larger issue. And that is the creeping socio-economic plague of Relativism and how it is affecting members of the Church when it comes to the teachings of the Church.
Relativism means a view that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them. What this essentially means that there is no one truth and one can hold different truths based on the situation. This allows one to say that they are “personally against” something that is immoral while at the same time conducting their life in a way that either does not hinder or actively assist in furthering that same “something”.
We hear is most often with politicians, judges, nurses, doctors, and other when it comes to abortion. While many will say this is wrong, those same people will not apply the same principle to other immoral and unjust laws like so-called “same-sex” marriages. They say since it is the person’s job, that the person in question, they have no right to oppose the law.
That is just plain wrong, immoral and unjust laws must be opposed. The person in question must refuse to have his name assigned to any of those document even it it means quitting or being fired. They have no option in this case no matter what some say.
We must reject the relativistic position that separate out life inside and outside the Church. As Our Lord said:
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.“(Mt. 6:24 RSV)
There is no “wiggle” room here.







