Marriage and Parish Family Ministries
Marriage and Parish Family Ministries cares for the wellbeing of marriages and families of the Antiochian Archdiocese through Orthodox Christian teaching and resources. This department offers an ever-expanding network of Orthodox materials to assist the healthy development and maintenance of Christ-centered marriages and families. Orthodox Christian professionals and laity are available through this department to assist individuals and families facing difficulties.
Marriage and Parish Family Ministries works to see that the Antiochian Archdiocese is meeting the needs of its married parishioners and those preparing for marriage. Pre-marital counseling, marriage enrichment, establishing an Orthodox Christian home, challenged marriages, parenting skills for all ages, as well as bereavement, communication, and conflict resolution skills, are all within the scope of issues addressed by this department.
Contact:
Department of Marriage & Parish Family Ministries
Kh. Maggie Hock, Director
15225 Corby Cir.
Omaha, NE 68116-7130
402.445.0150/office
maggiehock@aol.com
Fight the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)
What is the Freedom of Choice Act and how will it affect Orthodox family values? A majority of Americans oppose this Act but it is due to be signed into law this month if we do not act to contact our representatives in Congress and the Senate to let them know our opposition. The Orthodox Faith has always protected the sanctity of human life and opposed abortion. Now is the time to make your voice heard in Washington. Please visit the Fight FOCA web site today to learn more and take action!
The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would eliminate every restriction on abortion regardless of previous States' rulings.
- FOCA will do away with state laws on parental involvement, on partial birth abortion, and on all other protections. Parents will lose their influence on their minor children's reproductive rights.
- FOCA will compel taxpayer funding of abortions without regard for moral beliefs and objections.
- FOCA will force faith-based hospitals and healthcare facilities to perform abortions. It will also require the disposal and dismemberment of live abortions regardless of the health care team member's religious, moral or ethical convictions.
- FOCA will prevent the States from enacting future protective legislation for the unborn.
The Orthodox Faith has always protected the sanctity of human life and opposed abortion. You have the opportunity to vote your conscience by going to this web site http://www.fightfoca.com/ and sign the petition opposing this Federal Act. You will also need to contact your elected representatives in your region to register your opinion in order to influence their vote. It only takes 50 letters or 10 phone calls to a representative to make a difference in a vote. You may reach your Representatives and Senators at 202-224-3121.
To keep in touch with this Act and many others that threaten traditional family values, go to the American Family Association web site at www.afa.net.
California Orthodox Bishops Issue Statement on Proposition 8
A Statement of the
Orthodox Christian Bishops of California
in support of Proposition 8:
A Constitutional Amendment to Restore the Definition of Marriage
The decision of the California Supreme Court on May 15, 2008, unilaterally redefines the sacred institution of marriage in a manner unprecedented in human history — and alien to our Christian tradition. We, the Orthodox Christian bishops of California, were saddened by this decision which constitutes a direct attack upon the longstanding role and freedom of religion in American life. A majority of the justices declared not only that same-sex couplings must be allowed to exist at those couples’ discretion as “marriages,” but that the state of California is forbidden to refer to these couplings as anything but “marriages.” Orthodox Christianity holds in high regard the God-ordained institution of marriage and the family. The Orthodox Church must and shall remain true to its faith and tradition, and affirm that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, given by God to one another for mutual support, encouragement, love and the ability to bear children.
President Calls for Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage
Click here to read the complete text of Federal Marriage Amendment - H.J. Res 56
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 24, 2004
Remarks by the President
The Roosevelt Room
10:43 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Eight years ago, Congress passed, and President Clinton signed, the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage for purposes of federal law as the legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.
The Act passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 342 to 67, and the Senate by a vote of 85 to 14. Those congressional votes and the passage of similar defensive marriage laws in 38 states express an overwhelming consensus in our country for protecting the institution of marriage.
In recent months, however, some activist judges and local officials have made an aggressive attempt to redefine marriage. In Massachusetts, four judges on the highest court have indicated they will order the issuance of marriage licenses to applicants of the same gender in May of this year. In San Francisco, city officials have issued thousands of marriage licenses to people of the same gender, contrary to the California family code. That code, which clearly defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman, was approved overwhelmingly by the voters of California. A county in New Mexico has also issued marriage licenses to applicants of the same gender. And unless action is taken, we can expect more arbitrary court decisions, more litigation, more defiance of the law by local officials, all of which adds to uncertainty.
Smart Parenting XIV. Talking To Children About Same-Sex "Marriage"
By Fr. George Morelli
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord (Romans 12: 9,11).
Introduction
Department of Marriage and Family News Archive
