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