STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville laments today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that effectively legalizes same-sex marriage throughout the country. While it is clearly a setback for marriage, the University will continue to analyze the decision and its effect on the Catholic Church and Franciscan University.

Father Sean O. Sheridan, TOR, president of Franciscan University, stated, “Even though the U.S. Supreme Court has set aside millennia of human wisdom and ruled that civil marriage now includes the union of two men or two women (and who knows what future combinations), Franciscan University holds to the hallowed and unchanging teachings of the Catholic Church, which recognizes marriage as the unique, fruitful, lifelong union between a man and a woman, blessed through the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.”

Father Sheridan went on to say, “We can’t ignore the biological fact that children come from the union of a man and a woman, and marriage between a man and a woman has been the building block of both Christian and non-Christian societies for centuries. Maintaining this definition of marriage and affording it special rights and privileges enables society to flourish and respect God’s mandate to be fruitful and multiply.”

“The Catholic bishops of the United States have spoken eloquently and with firm leadership on this issue, and Franciscan University will continue to stand with them in defense of the true meaning of marriage,” Father Sheridan said.

“We also will pray for those who disagree with us and ask them to pray with us, that we may engage each other in charity and sincerity on this incredibly important and sensitive issue.”