Senators respect same-sex marriage but…
Two lawmakers said they respect the decision of two individuals who exchanged vows last week in the CNMI’s first same-sex marriage ceremony.
But Senate President Victor B. Hocog (Ind-Rota) said he is not sure “how the community will react.”
“This same sex-sex [marriage] is a choice of the individual, and we have to respect that choice. My only concern is whether our community can accept it,” Hocog said.
The lawmaker cited the long religious tradition of the CNMI and its adherence to the Catholic faith.
“It is an issue of sentiment or value on our beliefs as Catholics. For me, I respect the individual choice,” Hocog said, but pointed out that it goes against religious teachings.
Sen. Steve Mesngon (R-Rota) echoed Hocog’s comments, saying it is a “democratic system” and that he also respect the individual choices of members of the community.
“We come from a religious community, but I do respect the court ruling,” Mesngon said, adding that he grew up in a Catholic society where family is tied with tradition.
“I respect any individual on that choice, I can’t go against that,” Mesngon said.
Saipan Mayor David Apatang officiated the same-sex marriage rites between two women at his office last week.
Henry Hofschneider, adviser of Apatang, confirmed that the mayor presided over the rites of the two women, who were of Chinese descent.
The identities of the two women were not made public.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, saying it is a right guaranteed under the equal protection clause of the law, and that the ruling compels all states and territories to follow.
CNMI Attorney General Edward Manibusan has issued a memorandum addressed to all authorized officials who can perform marriage ceremonies on the Commonwealth.
Yep in the Catholic society all of the corruption and crimes are committed by majority of Catholics who goes to church every Sunday and profess to be good Catholics while the community accepts these criminals both the elected and laypeople. So why would not the community accept the gay married couples?
It would seem to me that those commenting on the subject have a problem with it otherwise why just keep their mouth shut and let it lay.
I have my own personal feelings about this but best just let it lay (for now) and run it’s course.
BTW, the professed “good Catholics” I know that are within the criminal and corrupt elements go to church every week to ask for forgiveness of their criminal activities for the last week and to pray earnestly for “God” to show them where to steal more in the upcoming week.
Senator, perhaps you should reflect upon this… Separation of Church and State – called for in the Constitution… you work for the people… keep your religion to yourself, do your job, the one the people pay you to do, or resign.
2 points… the Catholic faith you reference actually DOES NOT go back that far in CNMI history. I also note you make no comment about one’s CHOICE of eating shellfish, wearing various linens, working on sundays, etc. So if you want to quote religious beliefs, then you can not pick and choose what you want to believe.
Persons who are reluctant to accept same-gender civil marriage may find it easier to make peace with it and maybe even embrace it if they consider that the American principle of separation of church and state is a two-way street.
That is, the state should not interfere in religious matters (for example, the state should not tell religious groups how they should regulate religious ceremonies, such as baptism, communion, and religious marriage) and religious groups should not tell the state how to regulate civil ceremonies (such as civil marriage).
Except in places such as the Phil. and other countries that the Spanish conquered and forced the Catholic religion on the people.
The Roman Catholic Church followed the same tactic of getting the tribal head honcho to convert, and the rest of the tribe followed. Spain did conquer the Philippines but to say that the Catholic religion was forced on the people is a language of medieval Europe. I am a Filipino Methodist Pastor; faith is not anything that can be forced on anyone though the metaphors used may be constricting since they tend to be leftovers from a previous era. The myth of the actual separation of State and Religion is operative in both democratic and totalitarian governments. There may be “formal” separation good only on paper, but the fact is, the religion of the elite tends to be the metaphor of the hoi polloi. But forced? Nah.
These senators need to do their homework! Homosexuality is not a “choice.” It’s like waking up one day and saying “I want to be gay today” and the next day say “I think today, I’ll be straight.” How ignorant and embarrassing. They even say that we come from a religious community. Why then does the devil come out of politicians during election time? Hypocrites. There are many gay people who are much more respectful and decent than straight people who claim to be “religious.”
They are just following their same ignorant ‘mode’ as with the rest of their routine in all other areas.