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The Marriage Debate: Defending Marriage and the Family
The escalating crisis surrounding
the meaning of marriage in our culture today advocates the equity of
same-sex unions, challenging the traditional view of marriage and
the family. In light of the recent attacks on marriage, we are aware
of the need to strengthen the faithful’s understanding of the
meaning and purpose of marriage and to reinvigorate them to
faithfully live and support this vocation. |
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on Marriage and Family
“Marriage and family cannot, therefore, be considered a simple product of historical circumstances, or a superstructure imposed on human love from the outside.
On the contrary, they are an interior demand of this love so that it may be carried out in the truth and fullness of self-giving.” Unity, indissolubility, and openness to life, characteristics of the conjugal union, “which today, are frequently misunderstood and rejected, are necessary so that it may be an authentic pact of love.
Precisely in this way, the bond that unites man and woman becomes an image and symbol of the alliance between God and His people. … Therefore, marriage between baptized persons is a sacrament, effective sign of grace and salvation.”
Pope John Paul II February 26, 2004 |
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My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, The Catholic Bishops of Minnesota met in late March to discuss a number of important legislative issues for the welfare of all Minnesotans. A unanimous decision was reached to publicly and pastorally address the faithful of our dioceses concerning the current debate surrounding marriage. Printed below you will find the statement of all the Minnesota Bishops. I urge each of you to become educated and involve yourself in this important legislative issue, while acting at all time with the charity of Christ. With every good wish I remain.
Sincerely yours in Christ, Archbishop Harry J. Flynn, D.D.
Minnesota Bishops' Statement April 26, 2004
A total of 27 states have now approved a Marriage Amendment to their state constitution. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other statements by Minnesota Bishops
Please continue to pray and work for a Marriage Amendment for Minnesota!
Minnesota Bishops' Statement on the Feast of the Holy Family 2004
Minnesota Bishops' Statement December 22, 2005
Archbishop Flynn's column in the January 5, 2006 issue of the Catholic Spirit: "Breakdown of marriage in U.S. has caused great pain"
Minnesota Bishops' Statement in response to the defeat of the Marriage Amendment in the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee April 7, 2006
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Bishop Henry's address: Click here
Church Documents on Marriage and Family
Questions and Answers about Marriage and Same-sex Unions
"A growing movement today favors making those relationships commonly called same-sex unions the legal equivalent of marriage. This situation challenges Catholics—and all who seek the truth—to think deeply about the meaning of marriage, its purposes, and its value to individuals, families, and society. This kind of reflection, using reason and faith, is an appropriate starting point and framework for the current debate. We, the Catholic bishops of the United States, offer here some basic truths to assist people in understanding Catholic teaching about marriage and to enable them to promote marriage and its sacredness."
The short statement Between Man and Woman expresses the Catholic Church’s core belief and teaching about marriage, which can be applied to the current debate about extending marriage to include the legal recognition of same-sex unions. It gives people, especially the Catholic faithful, a way to think about and articulate what may be their deep, yet unspoken conviction about what is right and true. Both educational and catechetical, it draws upon reason and faith in order to identify the nature and purposes of marriage and thereby to demonstrate why a same-sex union can never be equated with marriage.
Complete text of "Between MAN and Woman" available on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' website
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:
In brief: This document discusses the “moral and social phenomenon” of homosexuality. By presenting fundamental aspects of Catholic doctrine, “The present Considerations are also intended to give direction to Catholic politicians by indicating the approaches to proposed legislation in this area which would be consistent with Christian conscience.”
An Apostolic
Exhortation:
FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO TO THE EPISCOPATE TO THE CLERGY AND TO THE FAITHFUL
OF THE
WHOLE CATHOLIC
CHURCH
In Brief: This exhortation discusses “The Church at the Service of the Family” and the challenges this involves in our modern world. “Knowing that marriage and the family constitute one of the most precious of human values, the Church wishes to speak and offer her help to those who are already aware of the value of marriage and the family and seek to live it faithfully, to those who are uncertain and anxious and searching for the truth, and to those who are unjustly impeded from living freely their family lives. Supporting the first, illuminating the second and assisting the others, the Church offers her services to every person who wonders about the destiny of marriage and the family.” |
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Local |
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On March 20, 2006, there was a procedural vote to deny Senator Bachman’s motion to withdraw the Marriage Amendment Bill (House File 006) from the Judiciary Committee and place it on General Orders (for a vote by the full Senate). Senator Bachman's motion was blocked by a vote of 34 to 31. This means that the amendment would remain in the hands of the Judiciary Committee. Then Senator Nienow, chief author, moved that S.F. No. 2992 (the Marriage Amendment Bill) be withdrawn from the Committee on Judiciary, given a second reading, and placed on General Orders. Senatror Nienow’s motion was blocked by a vote of yeas 30 and nays 35. Again, this means that the amendment would remain in the hands of the Judiciary Committee. On April 4th, 2006, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the Marriage Amendment. Senator Neuville offered an amendment to the Amendment saying that marriage could only be defined by the legislature and not by the courts. The motion to add Neuville’s (originally Betzold’s) amendment to the Marriage Amendment was approved by a 5-4 vote. The Judiciary committee then voted on the Marriage Amendment which now included Neuville’s amendment. The motion failed to pass to the Senate floor by a 4-5 vote as follows. Minnesotans will be denied the opportunity to vote on this amendment in November 2006.
For more information on the status of this bill, please see http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=Senate&f=SF2992&ssn=0&y=2005 and
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The U.S. Senate will vote on this Marriage Protection Amendment on June 6th. Tell them of your support today! Go to our Action Opportunities for information on how! |
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On The Role Of The Laity In Public Affairs
In brief: “We hope you will find the resources available here helpful. They are designed to help you learn, share, and act on Catholic teaching about how our faith can and should shape our choices and opportunities as citizens, so that we can build a world more respectful of human life and dignity and more committed to justice and peace.”
“In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation.” USCCB Click fore more information on faithful citizenship.
Lumen Gentium “… let the laity also by their combined efforts remedy the customs and conditions of the world, if they are an inducement to sin, so that they all may be conformed to the norms of justice and may favor the practice of virtue rather than hinder it. By so doing they will imbue culture and human activity with genuine moral values; they will better prepare the field of the world for the seed of the Word of God; and at the same time they will open wider the doors of the Church by which the message of peace may enter the world… But that ominous doctrine which attempts to build a society with no regard whatever for religion, and which attacks and destroys the religious liberty of its citizens, is rightly to be rejected (5*).” (Lumen Gentium 36) For the complete text please see, Lumen Gentium, Chapter IV, on "The Laity" |
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After familiarizing yourself with God’s teaching regarding marriage, you can contact your elected officials to express your interests. Samples comments and letters are available as well. What you can say: I am contacting you regarding the Marriage Amendment which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. I support this amendment and I ask you, as my representative, to vote “yes” on this amendment.
To find out who your other elected officials are go to: http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/districts/start.html
Our MN Senators need to hear from you regarding passing the Marriage Amendment. Please email them by putting (cut and paste) the group of the addresses below in your email Bcc (the blind) and your address in the "To" line with a clear message in the subject line. You can resend the email daily until the Senators let the Marriage Amendment have a vote on the floor of the Senate or until the end of the session. The Senators have said no one really cares about this issue. Let’s let them know there are a lot of people who care about the passing of this amendment!
In the subject line type something like “DOMA, YES” In the message type something like “Please support the Defense of Marriage Amendment” or “Let us vote!” Always be respectful with your words!
Instructions to resend an email message again and again: If you have Outlook you can resend the your email daily by going to the Sent Items folder, opening the email to be resent, then select Action and Resend This Message. Then just click send and it’s off!
Marriage Protection Amendment The U.S. Senate will vote on a Marriage Protection Amendment on June 6, 2006. Take action today to show your support!
Go to www.rcm.org to e-mail or send a letter or postcard to your Senators!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Text of the Marriage Protection Amendment (SJ 1) Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage. (Introduced in Senate) 109th CONGRESS Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States: Article--SECTION 1. This article may be cited as the `Marriage Protection Amendment. SECTION 2. Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman.. Q. How do I register to vote? A. Fill out a voter registration card and return it in person or by mail to your county auditor or the secretary of state. Voter registration forms are available at county courthouses, city halls and other public buildings throughout the state, in many telephone books, in your state tax booklet (in even-numbered years) or by downloading a copy from on-line: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/election/vrcard.pdf You may also register to vote when you apply for or renew your Minnesota driver's license or state identification card. Q. Where do I vote? A. Most people vote in the neighborhood where they live. You can also look up your polling place location on this Web site by clicking here or call your county auditor or city clerk.
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Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis - Office for
Marriage, Family and Life
Phone: 651-291-4488 / Email: spmmfl@archspm.org
Archbishop Flynn's Statement
Between MAN and WOMAN
