Thai bishops express closeness to homosexual couples, but reiterate that marriage is between a man and a woman

Hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples got married today on the first day of a new marriage law. In a pastoral letter, Thai bishops outline the “three principles" of the Church on the matter. The prelates call for a response to the "challenges" posed by gender theory, which they see as a source of "confusion and conflict”.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) – The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand (CBCT) issued a pastoral letter today, signed by its president, Bishop Joseph Chusak Sirisut, on the day the country’s same-sex marriage legislation came into effect, LiCAS reports.

Citing Dignitas Infinita declaration issued by the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the CBCT stresses that “everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect, while avoiding all signs of unjust discrimination, aggression, or violence.”

At the same time, quoting Pope Francis' warning against "ideological colonisation," it rejects any attempt to redefine gender without recognising life as a gift from God, which risks eroding foundational truths about human nature.

Thailand’s bishops express concern over the influence of gender theory on contemporary discourse. For this reason, they reiterate the Church's commitment to respect human dignity, while maintaining doctrinal teachings on marriage.

“This pastoral message conveys the position and approach of the Catholic Church in caring for same-sex couples who register their marriages in accordance with the law, to ensure appropriate pastoral practices,” the CBCT statement reads.

The latter goes on to cite Genesis, establishing the principle that the Christian marriage is “the union of a man and a woman.”

With this law that legalises LGBTQ+ unions, with the same value and dignity of heterosexual unions, Thailand becomes the largest country in Asia to endorse same-sex marriage, after Nepal and Taiwan.

To mark the event, Thailand’s parliament flew rainbow flags, while some shopping malls promoted pride events to celebrate the day, including a mass wedding involving 200 couples exchanging vows.

In Bangkok, a district offered plane tickets to the first couple who registered their marriage, while Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is in Davos for the World Economic Forum, posted a message on social media stating: "The rainbow flag is flying high over Thailand".

Advocacy groups aim to pass the milestone of 1448 registrations by the end of the day, to honour the number that corresponds to the clause in the Thai Civil Code concerning the definition of marriage.

For activists and NGOs, the law, approved by both Houses of Parliament in June last year before being promulgated by the king in September, represents a great step forward for the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

Still, the country remains an exception in Asia with respect to marriage equality; for this reason, several couples from abroad have moved to the Southeast Asian country; one of them is Aki Uryu from Japan, who moved to Bangkok to be with her partner.

While reaffirming that the sacrament of marriage is exclusive to a man and a woman, the Church is committed to providing pastoral assistance to same-sex couples.

In this regard, the bishops outlined three principles: the Marriage Equality Act does not alter the Church's teaching on marriage as reserved for heterosexual unions; any pastoral blessing for same-sex couples does not endorse their marital status, but is a sign of God's mercy and a means of encouraging a Gospel-centred life; pastors must treat all individuals with love, dignity and respect, fostering their spiritual growth and guiding them towards holiness.

While acknowledging the challenges posed by gender theory, seen as a source of “confusion and conflict,” the bishops note that this “is not a denial of God’s grace but an affirmation of His love for all His children”.

Finally, considering the social changes brought about by the law on marriage equality, the Catholic Church reaffirmed its dual commitment to uphold the sanctity of Christian marriage while walking alongside all people with compassion and care.

• thailand
• marriage equality
• LGBTQ+
• catholic bishops
• catholic doctrine