Seeking the best answer

The challenge – wrote the Catholic daily "La Croix" – was to "find the right way" to express one’s belief on the anthropological foundations of society, without risking to foment "increasing homophobia". This is the reason for the publication of a document by the "Family and Society" Council of the French Bishops’ Conference on Thursday September 27. In 10 pages the Church of France explained and took an official position on the ongoing debate in the Country on opening marriage and adoption to same-sex unions, as announced by the Government. The note was titled "Extending marriage to same-sex unions: may the debate begin!".Launching democratic debate. The statement – the spokesperson of the French bishops Bernad Podvin said in the presentation – is the result of a "convergence of pluridisciplinary approaches". It proposes "an analysis", in compliance with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. The Church thus yearns to participate in a "constructive manner to society’s vital questions". The document was the object of an in-depth debate prior to its dissemination, with the approval of the president of the Bishops’ Conference, card. André Vingt-Trois. It is an invitation to open a debate before it becomes the content of a law: "Opening marriage to same-sex unions along with the possibility for them to access adoption is a serious issue. Such decision – the document states – would have serious consequences on children, on family balance and on social cohesion. It would be reductive to justify the change in the laws on marriage and the family by considering the aspect of non-discrimination and the principle of equality only". "Our society is faced with an unprecedented situation", the bishops write. "Homosexuality has always existed, but until recently homosexuals didn’t demand a juridical framework to long-term relationships nor did they express the wish for official parenthood. The most appropriate answer to this request must come from policymakers, although such answer should be the result of a political decision" and as such – the bishops say – it requires a "serious democratic debate" to as to bring to the fore "the best answer in everyone’s interest".Rejecting homophobia whilst respecting diversity. Part of the French bishops’ statement is devoted to the refusal of homophobia and to the respect of homosexuals. "Discrimination and harassment" of homosexuals, the bishops write, "can no longer be tolerated". Legislation justly criminalizes all forms of discrimination and incitement to hatred on homosexual grounds. "It should be acknowledged that sadly homophobia has not yet disappeared from society" since "prejudices are hard to wane and mindsets change at a very slow pace". The French bishops’ statement goes even further, and affirms that "diversity characterising homosexual unions should not prevent seriously considering the aspirations of those calling for a long-term commitment". Indeed, the Church understands "the need for a commitment to the faithfulness of an affection, sincere attachment, care of the other, solidarity that extends beyond the reduction of homosexual relations to a mere erotic relationship" but "this understanding doesn’t entail ignoring diversity". The bishops believe that man/woman alterity, the richness that it represents for society and the good of children, the origin of life in natural procreation "should not pass unnoticed". We should not undermine anthropological foundations. The statement reiterates the Church’s commitment towards homosexual people, and the fact that the Church "will continue giving her contribution to the fight on all forms of homophobia and discrimination". However, continue the bishops, seeking to regulate these problems whilst ignoring diversity "appears to be the result of a dangerous ideological decision". The main task of policymakers – the bishops underline – is to defend not only individual rights and freedoms, but also and especially the common good, and "common good is not the sum of individual interests", but the good of the whole community. It concludes: "An evolution of family law is always possible. But rather than giving in to the pressure of various groups, France would distinguish itself if it established an authentic debate across society to find an original solution that will distinguish France and render justice to the recognition of homosexuals without undermining the anthropological foundations of society".