Roman Catholic bishops ended their national meeting by condemning same-sex unions and pledging to convince parishioners they should obey the church ban on artificial birth control.
The prelates overwhelmingly approved a document Wednesday urging states to withhold recognition for same-sex marriages. The church leaders said they had an obligation to "give witness to the whole moral truth" and reinforce Catholic teaching that gay sex is a sin.
The bishops also decided to draft a document promoting natural family planning. Surveys have found that Catholics use artificial contraception at the same rate as non-Catholics.
Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, acknowledged that some may question how Catholic leaders can make statements on sexual morality following nearly two years of scandal over priests who molested children.
But he said the church must speak out "in season and out of season.
"Yes, the church is human, but she must run by the passion and the prophetic office given her by Christ," said Gregory, of Belleville, Ill.
This week's meeting was the fourth national bishops' assembly since the clergy abuse crisis erupted in January 2002.
Two members of the National Review Board, the panel of lay worshippers appointed by the bishops last year, gave the conference an update on studies they had commissioned on the scandal.
Among the reports is a survey on the extent of abuse since 1950 and an audit to determine whether all 195 U.S. dioceses are properly responding to molestation claims. Both studies are set to be released next year.
A committee of bishops also presented a document to be used in dioceses for certifying that a priest from outside the United States is suitable for ministry.
The authors said conducting background checks on foreign-born priests was difficult, and the document would help ensure that sexually abusive clergy are not transferred between U.S. dioceses. About 16 percent of the nation's 46,000 priests are from other countries, the prelates said.
Unlike other recent bishops' meetings, the agenda this week was not dominated by the abuse crisis. Recent surveys indicate that rank-and-file parishioners are responding somewhat positively to the reforms the bishops are making to restore trust in their leadership and protect children.
The prelates revised instructions for Sunday services in parishes that have no priest and issued a wide-ranging statement on agriculture meant to draw attention to the plight of farmers in the United States and in developing countries.
They discussed their relations with other Christian denominations and approved a guide on popular devotional practices such as pilgrimages.
On same-sex unions, the bishops said they felt a need to make a public statement now — as gay couples gain greater acceptance in society and seek the same benefits as heterosexual couples.
Vermont allows civil unions between gays, and laws in California and Hawaii extend some economic benefits to same-sex couples. Two Canadian provinces recently legalized gay marriage.
Last summer, gay rights groups scored a major victory when the Supreme Court struck down bans on gay sex.
The bishops approved the statement by a vote of 234-3, with three abstentions. The interfaith gay advocacy group Soulforce called the document "confusing, harmful and spiritually violent."
Laura Montgomery Rutt, a group spokeswoman, said, "When will the Catholic Church learn that this kind of spiritual violence leads to great pain, suffering and even death?"