Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Put simply, it is not in the compelling interest of the state to change the de nition of marriage. There are many ramications of such a redenition. overturn centuries of common law. We are deeply concerned about Sufce it to say that should marriage be rede ned in our state, the very founda- equality, justice and the good of society tional nature of marriage for the good and the family. Our purpose is a posiand strength of human society would tive one: to support the legal de nition of marriage as the union of one man be harmed beyond repair. I join with all the Catholic bishops of and one woman in order to promote Washington in saying that as teachers the common good. We urge our and Church leadCatholic people to ers, we reaf rm the We are deeply concerned uphold our consisneed to recognize about equality, justice and the tent teaching on and defend the rights of all people. good of society and the family. marriage for the good of the Church, We sincerely regret society, husbands the unjust discrimination, bigotry and even violence that and wives, and their children. Theremany people with same-sex attraction fore, we bishops reject the redenition of marriage as a civil contract between have experienced for many years. However, as we stated in our pas- two persons. I recognize that the issue before toral statement Marriage and the Good of Society, rede ning marriage us is a sensitive one, one that touches as a means of dealing with important many families and many individuals. issues of equality and respect for all My heart and my prayers go out to you persons will not achieve the goal of all as you pray about your vote on Refdefending the rights of all and would erendum 74.