Bishop Michael of NY and NJ reaffirms the Sanctity of Marriage in pastoral letter

On June 24, 2011, the Feastday of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey issued a letter to the faithful of the diocese on the sanctity of marriage.

According to the web site of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, “this comes in light of social-cultural arguments and debates in which the very nature and structure of civil marriage lead to confusion and legislative assertions that are contrary to the Tradition and teaching of the Church.”

“Let us bear witness to the truth taught by Our Lord, and lived by His Saints, in our daily conversations with our families, our fellow Christians, our neighbors and co-workers,” Bishop Michael writes.  “Let us teach the Orthodox Christian vision of marriage, as a path to salvation shared by husband and wife, to our children, godchildren, and all those who come under our care as parents, godparents, pastors, and Christian educators.”

The text of the letter may be found at www.nynjoca.org.