DEAR EDITOR: At the annual Catholic Charismatic Renewal Rally (Sunday, June 3) among the subjects His Grace Archbishop Joseph Harris discussed were the ongoing national debate on same-sex marriage and the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Our Church has good reasons for “no same-sex marriages”, but is there a merciful route for those needing help? This is what prompted me to write.

Archbishop Harris said at the rally that it was difficult to fully explain the mystery of three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit –in one. He described it as “a circle of love” which spilled over into creation. “For love to be true, love has to spill over and include
others”, he said.
I respectfully ask what are the options open to Catholics who are not asking for a marriage but a different kind of union (same sex) to be able to live safely together in harmony and peace? I would hope they are not to be excluded from this “circle of love” by our Creator? I am familiar with the reason for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and yet God was merciful.
May I refer to the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37). “Teacher”, the expert in the law asked Jesus, “what must I do to inherit eternal life? “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it? He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbour as yourself.” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus gave him three examples. Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

So our neighbour is anyone of any race or creed or social background who is in need, and love means acting to meet the need.
In this culture would anyone choose other than the traditional sexual preferences? It is a mystery what preferences we are born with and we have no choice. We know our Creator made many of us different: sex, race, colour, religion, intelligence, strength, language, etc. French law, I understand, has an agreement to fit the same-sex commitment, and it is not called a marriage.
There should be a level of compassion for people facing this challenge, and who want to be included in the “circle of love”, or be protected by law under mutual agreement, human rights, or equal civil rights.
Jessie P Clyne, Diego Martin