THE VATICAN (The Adobo Chronicles, Rome Bureau) – Saying that heterosexuality is simply a lifestyle, Pope Francis today released a new encyclical that redefines the Catholic Church’s dogma on marriage.

A papal encyclical is one of the highest forms of communication by the Pope and usually deals with some aspect of Catholic teaching — clarifying, amplifying, condemning or promoting one or a number of issues.

The Pope’s new message strikes down centuries-old Church teaching that marriage is only between a man and a woman.   In the Philippines, the issue is being challenged in the Supreme Court. 

Many who are opposed to same-sex marriage say that homosexuality is a lifestyle that could not be made the basis for the Church union between two men or two women.

But with Pope Francis’ declaration that heterosexuality is also just a lifestyle, the impediment to same-sex marriage will no longer exist.