St. Aquinas' Ethics' Stand on Same-Sex Marriage

What’s St. Aquinas’ ethics’ stand on same-sex marriage?

St. Thomas Aquinas’ ethics does not provide any stand on same-sex marriage but clearly oppose all forms of sexual acts performed by two persons of the same sex. Because of this strong opposition to homosexual activities, it can be inferred that his ethics oppose the idea of same-sex marriage as well. In Summa Theologica, II-II, 154 Aquinas states that any unnatural form of sex is categorized as a deformity, and this determines the existence of lust. One of the ways in which deformity can occur is through what is called “the unnatural vice” wherein couples do not follow the natural proper way of copulation (e.g. oral and anal sex). Aquinas does not clearly provide a stand about same-sex marriage, nor does he even say anything about the issue however his statements revolve around sexual immorality where homosexual acts are categorized. Consummation of marriage is done through fulfilling the sexual act between a married couple. To consummate same-sex marriage, these same-sex couples will have to perform the sexual act that which is deemed disordered and deformed.

Moreover, Aquinas’s ethics are also founded upon his doctrines which says that the fulfillment of one’s purpose is the key to achieving happiness. The purpose of marriage, other than fulfilling a loving partnership with a spouse, is for procreation and education of children, and same-sex marriage cannot fulfill the purpose of procreation. In sexual intercourse, couples should always be open to the creation of children (which is why the church discourages the use of contraceptives). Because of this inability to procreate, same-sex marriage is irrelevant or deformed as it does not fulfill any purpose for humanity. Thus, based on Aquinas’s doctrine, and the purpose of marriage explicated by the church, it can be said that Aquinas’s morality opposes same-sex marriage.

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