The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued an excellent document Marriage:Love and Life in the Divine Plan.during its current November session. The link to the PDF document is here: http://www.usccb.org/laity/LoveandLife/MarriageFINAL.pdf

I just read through the first 30 pages and its an excellent statement for our times: it addresses the sanctity of marriage of a male and female, explicitly rejects homosexual "marriage", cohabitation and divorce. It promotes NFP (Natural Family Planning) and states why contraception, in vitro fertilization (IVF)and cloning are wrong.

The language is easy to read and understand, not stilted or technical. It is truly a document for the times (well, maybe past due) and provides clear instruction of a true Christian lifestyle. It should provide much material for homilies.

I expect it will either be ignored or attacked in the media. Read it for yourself before you believe any newstories.

Fr Deacon Paul

As I read the marriage apologetics it was obvious that standard traditional English was used to describe the natural and sacramental union of man and woman.

There was no use of gender neutral or feminist language by the Bishops Conference.

Most viewers of this forum will be delighted

Fr Deacon Paul