Reply #15: Conclusion: Anti-gay bigotry is incompatible with progressivism... [View All]

[Zenlitened]

... no matter what sort of robes it's dressed up in.

Edited to add:

Archdiocese of Boston—Dioceses of Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester
MASSACHUSETTS CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
WEST END PLACE
150 Staniford Street, Suite 5, Boston, MA 02114-2511
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
[e-mail]

BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
DATE: June 16, 2005
We support the citizen-led effort to gather signatures for a new initiative petition that would add the following
language to the Massachusetts Constitution:
When recognizing marriages entered after the adoption of this amendment by the people, the
Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall define marriage as only the union of one man
and one woman.
This proposed amendment restores to our laws the traditional definition of marriage. To remain
effective as society’s primary institution for ensuring the well-being of children, marriage must be
understood by government as a commitment involving one man and one woman.
The amendment addresses only the meaning of marriage itself and affects only future marriages. It
takes no position on how the legislature should assign legal rights and economic benefits. Thus, if
placed on the statewide ballot in 2008, it gives the people a clear choice on marriage.
We oppose another amendment, initially approved by the legislature in 2004, which combines the issues
of marriage and same-sex civil unions. This proposal fails to provide a clear choice—it dictates that
civil unions shall be treated as marriage in all but name. Protecting marriage is more than preserving a
name. The people deserve the opportunity to vote on marriage as a stand-alone issue.
Thus, we encourage all Catholics to exercise their civil right to participate in the signature drive for the
new initiative petition. When the time comes in the fall, signatures may be gathered outside Catholic
churches with the cooperation of pastors. We remind supporters to conduct their campaign in a spirit of
respect for all persons.

Most Rev. Seán P. O’Malley Most Rev. George W. Coleman
Archbishop, Archdiocese of Boston Bishop, Diocese of Fall River
Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell Most Rev. Robert J. McManus
Bishop , Diocese of Springfield Bishop, Diocese of Worcester

http://www.macathconf.org/05-Bishops%20Statement%20Supporting%20Marriage%20Petition%20FINAL.pdf

Massachusetts Catholic Bishops' Joint Statement on the Definition of Marriage

To Be Read May 31-June 1, 2003, in all parishes

Dear Catholic Faithful in Massachusetts:

Our public officials are debating the definition of marriage. As the Bishops of the four Catholic Dioceses in Massachusetts, we wish to offer some reflections on this debate. We want also to ask for your help. This is a critical time in our Commonwealth!

First, we will describe what is happening in the state courts and at the State House in Boston. Second, we will share an overview of Church teaching on marriage. Third, we will urge you to contact your state legislators to support the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment.

Let’s start with the marriage debate in our courts and legislature. The state Supreme Judicial Court has a case before it asking the judges to change the legal definition of marriage. The case is called Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. The court may issue its decision sometime this summer.

Under present state policy, only a man and a woman can apply for a marriage license. The plaintiffs want the court to declare that this policy violates the state constitution. They want this policy struck down so that any two adults, regardless of gender, can get married.

Many experts on both sides of the debate think the odds are high that the plaintiffs will get what they want, a ruling redefining marriage. Such an outcome will have devastating consequences here and nationally.

In response to the Goodridge case, state lawmakers in Boston have filed the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment. This proposal would amend the state constitution. It would reaffirm the legal definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman. It would reverse any decision in Goodridge that changes this definition. We strongly support this amendment.

The Church’s teaching on marriage remains constant and clear. We would like to share with you a summary of our teaching, as issued on behalf of all the Catholic Bishops in the United States in a “Statement on Same-Sex Marriage”. The Statement, issued in 1996, reads as follows:

“The Roman Catholic Church believes that marriage is a faithful, exclusive, and lifelong union between one man and one woman, joined as husband and wife in an intimate partnership of life and love. This union was established by God with its own proper laws. By reason of its very nature, therefore, marriage exists for the mutual love and support of the spouses and for the procreation and education of children. These two purposes, the unitive and the procreative, are equal and inseparable. The institution of marriage has a very important relationship to the continuation of the human race, to the total development of the human person, and to the dignity, stability, peace, and prosperity of the family and of society.

”Furthermore, we believe the natural institution of marriage has been blessed and elevated by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament. This means that Christian marriage is more than a contract. Because they are married in the Lord, the spouses acquire a special relationship to each other and to society. Their love becomes a living image of the manner in which the Lord personally loves his people and is united with them. Living a Christian sacramental marriage becomes their fundamental way of attaining salvation.

”Because the marital relationship offers benefits, unlike any other, to persons, to society, and to the church, we wish to make it clear that the institution of marriage, as the union of one man and one woman, must be preserved, protected, and promoted in both private and public realms. At a time when family life is under significant stress, the principled defense of marriage is an urgent necessity for the wellbeing of children and families, and for the common good of society.

”Thus, we oppose attempts to grant the legal status of marriage to a relationship between persons of the same sex. No same-sex union can realize the unique and full potential which the marital relationship expresses. For this reason, our opposition to "same-sex marriage" is not an instance of unjust discrimination or animosity toward homosexual persons. In fact, the Catholic Church teaches emphatically that individuals and society must respect the basic human dignity of all persons, including those with a homosexual orientation. Homosexual persons have a right to and deserve our respect, compassion, understanding, and defense against prejudice, attacks and abuse.

”We therefore urge Catholics and all our fellow citizens to commit themselves both to upholding the human dignity of every person and to upholding the distinct and irreplaceable community of marriage.”

That is the end of the Statement. In light of this teaching, we are very concerned about what the court may do this summer in the Goodridge case. If legal marriage is redefined in Massachusetts so that any two people regardless of gender can be married, then the state will no longer be able to promote the union of a man and a woman as uniquely beneficial to society. The Catholic Church and other private institutions with moral objections will be forced to change their employment and other policies to recognize other relationships as marriage, or face discrimination lawsuits.

The stakes are very high. Marriage as we know it will be irreparably harmed if we don’t respond quickly. We face a critical moment in Massachusetts, requiring our urgent attention. How can you help?

We ask everyone in the church to write, call or e-mail your State Senator and State Representative, and to get your friends to do the same. Letters are especially effective. Urge your legislators to support House Bill 3190, the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment. The House and Senate must meet together in joint session to approve the amendment twice before 2006. Getting the first favorable legislative vote in 2003 would send a strong signal to the courts—to let the people decide! Time is of the essence, so please act quickly, and pray for success!

Our public policy office, the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, has launched a legislative alert for the marriage amendment through MCC-Net, our Catholic legislative action network. Be sure to look in your parish bulletin to find more details on how to reach your legislators, how to join MCC-Net for email updates, and how to access the Catholic Conference website for even more information on the marriage issue. Again, please act soon, before it is too late.

Bishop Richard G. Lennon, Apostolic Administrator, Archdiocese of Boston

Bishop Daniel P. Reilly, Diocese of Worcester

Bishop Thomas L. Dupre, Diocese of Springfield

Bishop-Elect George W. Coleman, Diocese of Fall River

Massachusetts Catholic Conference
West End Place, Suite 5
150 Staniford Street, Boston MA 02114-2511
(p) 617-367-6060 (f) 617-367-2767 (e) [e-mail]
www.macathconf.org

http://www.macathconf.org/03bishops_define_marriage_stat.htm