ST. LOUIS — The Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis has condemned a move by the city to challenge Missouri’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage after issuing marriage licenses to four same-sex couples late Wednesday.
In a written statement, the diocese called the city decision a violation of “the laws of our state (that) disregard(s) the laws of nature.”
The archdiocese goes on to state that the Catholic church can “love a person (without) accepting all their behaviors” but that “sex is to be reserved for marriage” between a man and woman.
Four gay and lesbian couples were wed in the office of Mayor Francis Slay, who is Catholic. The city decision was orchestrated to force state courts to overturn the constitutional ban passed by over 70 percent of voters in August 2004.
Attorney General Chris Koster says while he supports same-sex marriage, he will uphold the state ban in court.