SACRAMENTO, November 12, 2008 -- California bishops have just released a statement in which they comment on the reactions to the passage of Proposition 8, reiterate the teaching on the true nature of marriage and point out the dangers of redefining it.
STATEMENT OF THE CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE BISHOPS
| The radical change in the definition of marriage to include same-sex partners discounts both history and biology and ignores how deeply marriage-as the union of a man and a woman-is embedded in our culture, language, and laws and how foundational it is for the well-being of children and the flourishing of society. |
The recent vote on Proposition 8 and the reaction by some of those who opposed it make it very clear that there is a fundamental difference in the understanding of marriage between those who voted "yes" and those who voted "no."
We believe that marriage, which predates both Church and government, is an institution that arose from the reality that the union of a man and a woman is necessary for the continuation of the human race. Those opposed to Proposition 8 believe marriage to be a "civil right" analogous to the right to vote.
As we said in our original statement of support for Proposition 8, same-sex unions are not the same as opposite-sex unions. The radical change in the definition of marriage to include same-sex partners discounts both history and biology and ignores how deeply marriage-as the union of a man and a woman-is embedded in our culture, language, and laws and how foundational it is for the well-being of children and the flourishing of society. To change the definition of marriage to include any two adults diminishes the institution to mean only a legal partnership.
Under present law domestic partners continue to have the rights and benefits of married couples in the State of California. It is our conviction that it is not necessary to change the definition of marriage to protect those rights and benefits. It is our hope that all those engaged in discourse on this issue will do so respectfully and in a civil manner.
RELATED CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS
Considerations on Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons Vatican
Letter to Families from Pope John Paul II
Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions USCCB
A Theological Reflection on the Human Body Archbishop Myers
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