Bishop Stika issues statement on U.S. Supreme Court same-sex union ruling

Bishop Richard F. Stika issued a statement following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 26 calling for all states to license and recognize same-sex unions.

“I am disappointed in today’s Supreme Court decision,” Bishop Stika said shortly after the court decision. “Regardless of the ruling, as Catholics and Christians, we will not apologize for our beliefs. The Bible and sacred Scripture teach us that marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman. We believe this as truth.”

Later in the day, Bishop Stika answered questions during a brief session with Knoxville media and reiterated his feelings:

“We believe what we believe in. It’s important and it’s our truth. It is that which has given us guidance for centuries. I don’t apologize for that. I am just asking people to be respectful of our position. I urge people not to condemn the decision, but rather to just say what we believe in.

“We can stand behind our own truth of faith and what a sacrament of union is, so we just kind of move on. We don’t have to attack. We have to accept what the Supreme Court has made a decision on and still stand on what we believe in.”

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