George A. Sprecace M.D.,
J.D., F.A.C.P. and Allergy Associates of New
London,
P.C.
www.asthma-drsprecace.com
WHAT'S
RIGHT WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH #69
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ZENIT, The world seen from Rome
News Agency
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Bishops of Washington State Speak in Defense of Marriage
SEATTLE, Washington, FEB. 20, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Bishops of Washington
state
are speaking out against a new bill which, barring the success of a
referendum,
would legalize same-sex marriage in that state this coming June.
The SB 6239 bill, which was signed into law last week by Washington
governor
Christine Gregoire, changed the definition of marriage from a civil
contract
between a male and a female to a civil contract between two persons.
The
objective of the bill is to end discrimination in marriage based on
gender and
sexual orientation in Washington, to ensure that all persons in this
state may
enjoy the freedom to marry on equal terms.
Shortly after the bill was introduced in January, Archbishop J. Peter
Sartain
of Seattle, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo of Seattle, Bishop Plase Cupich of
Spokane,
and Bishop Joseph Tyson of Yakima published an official statement
opposing the
bill's attempt to redefine marriage, stating that such an attempt is
not in the
public interest.
Marriage, they stated, is certainly about the public recognition of a
relationship between a man and a woman which carries certain rights and
responsibilities for the two adults. But, it is much more. Marriage in
faith
and societal traditions is acknowledged as the foundation of
civilization. It
has long been recognized that the stability of society depends on the
stability
of family life in which a man and a woman conceive and nurture new
life. In
this way, civil recognition of marriage has sought to bestow on
countless
generations of children the incomparable benefit of a loving mother and
father
committed to one another in a lifelong union.
Moreover, the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman
is not
one founded solely in religion. Upholding the present definition of
marriage
does not depend on anyone's religious beliefs, said the bishops, but
rather
defining marriage as 'a civil contract between a male and a female' is
grounded
not in faith, but in reason and the experience of society. It
recognizes the
value of marriage as a bond of personal relationships, but also in
terms of the
unique and irreplaceable potential of a man and woman to conceive and
nurture
new life, thus contributing to the continuation of the human race. A
change in
legislation would mean that the state would no longer recognize the
unique
sacrifices and contributions made by these couples, thereby adding to
the
forces already undermining family life today.
The new law which redefines marriage to include same-sex partnerships
will come
into effect next June, unless enough signatures from supporters of
marriage are
gathered for a referendum for November's ballot.