In recent weeks, Illinois has become a sort of “ground zero” with regard to the question of marriage, and therefore also of the family.

As you probably know, I recently asked that a letter that I prepared on this topic be read at all the Masses within the Diocese of Rockford. (If you have not seen or read that letter, you can find it at http://www.rockforddiocese.org/pdfs/InterfaithStatement.pdf.)

It outlined the very serious concerns, both for us as a society and for us as Catholics and followers of Jesus, which flow from a proposal to allow same-sex marriage in our state. I urge you once more to be in contact with your representatives to express your opposition to this proposal.

With that background, it has been of great interest to learn that this same issue is confronting countries in Europe. Generally, the news has been less than encouraging as so many people have lost sight of marriage as a reality that flows from our nature as man and woman able to come together and give life to a child, another human being.

But in France, something else has been happening. This month large demonstrations, including hundreds of thousands of participants, have taken place in Paris to express opposition to the proposal being made to the French Parliament to legalize same-sex marriage and adoptions by same-sex couples.

Significantly, according to press reports, those marches have been populated not just by religious believers but French citizens of various political persuasions and religious beliefs, and those with no religious belief at all.

While such mass demonstrations are often difficult to characterize as to their specific motivation, one particular theme seems to emerge. It is that same-sex marriage is not only a danger to the family; it also opposes the natural right of a child to have a mother and a father.

There are several lessons for us coming from these stories.

First, proponents try to tell us that same-sex marriage is inevitable because it is part of the evolution of society toward a more enlightened understanding of the world. Opposition, we are told, is futile.

But hundreds of thousands of people marching in France certainly challenge that understanding. For that reason, we should not feel alone nor should we feel embarrassed to speak the truth.

Second, a principal argument being put forward by the marchers is not one that is Catholic or even religious. Rather, it relates to human nature and specifically the rights of children to have and know their mother and father. This is a fundamental human right.

Often the discussion of same-sex marriage has centered on the freedom or rights of the adults both for marriage and for adoption. But there is a further question here about the rights of the children who might be adopted by such couples.

In several recent talks, Pope Benedict XVI has reminded us that children are not objects to be possessed. Rather, they are a gift that is entrusted to families as well as to society. By its very nature, marriage is the physical source for children as well as the proper environment for raising them in the complementary presence of the father and the mother.

In the First Letter of St. John we are reminded “… the one who loves God should love his brother also …  .” (1 Jn. 4:21). We are commanded to love all of our brothers and sisters. And we do.

But that includes love for children and respect for their right to know and be raised by their mother and father as a part of marriage in our society.