Catholic support crucial to repeal of Maine same-sex 'marriage' law

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 16

Frank Schubert, director of the Stand for Marriage Maine campaign

Portland, Maine, Nov 4, 2009 / 01:09 pm (CNA).- In midterm elections on Tuesday the voters of Maine repealed a law that legalized same-sex “marriage.” Scott Fish, Communications Director of Stand for Marriage Maine, told CNA that Catholic support was “very crucial” to the outcome.

“The Yes on 1 campaign,” Fish said, “had much support from Catholics statewide, working hand-in-hand with Evangelical churches throughout Maine, as well as other denominations.”

Despite a 3-to-1 deficit in fundraising, Fish said that “with 95 percent of precincts reporting, 52.90 percent voted yes on Question 1 and 47.10 percent voted no.” According to Fish, this means that “marriage in Maine law remains the union of one woman and one man.”

The vote in Maine reflects a nationwide trend, with voters rejecting the redefinition of marriage in 31 states.

Yesterday's vote was the result of Mainers exercising the People's Veto after the state legislature passed a bill recognizing same-sex “marriage” earlier this year and Gov. John Baldacci signed it into law in May.

The People's Veto ran on yesterday's ballot as Question 1, which read, "Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?"

In a statement on the results of Question 1, Bishop Malone of the Diocese of Portland, Maine said he wanted “to thank the people of Maine for protecting and reaffirming their support for marriage as it has been understood for millenia by civilizations and religions around the world,” and that he is “thankful for those who engaged in sincere and civil discourse on the matter of such serious consequence to our society.”

Bishop Malone also stated that “respect and acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation is not a point of controversy – indeed, it is a teaching of the Church.”

Drawing his statement to a close Bishop Malone said, “while the Catholic Church will continue its commitment to work for the basic human rights to which all people are entitled, it remains devoted to preserving and strengthening the precious gift of marriage.”

Comments: 16

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Constance
CT, USA 11/06/2009 12:23 AM EST

For those who call Catholics bigots: we do not know why GLBT's are the way they are, but I do know they can change. The Magesterium of the Catholic Church has always believed that practicing homosexual behavior is wrong. The Church has the duty to tell all Catholics this. Also, they have to tell everyone else because that is what someone who cares about you will do. They will tell you with love that what you are doing is wrong. This could mean you losing your soul. If you renounce God, there is only one other choice, Satan, the father of lies. You will not be able to sit on a fence. You will have to choose to be a goat or a sheep when Jesus returns. Homosexual sex can be dangerous and young people CAN be lead into homosexual sex. You would be surprised at what children will do to rebel and be different just because they want to. Some children are being made fun of and they could easily be convinced they are gay when it is not true. Pray hard for all those who cannot avoid this terrible scourge.

Published by: mark
omaha, ne 11/05/2009 03:51 PM EST

I was raised Catholic, Catholic grade schools, Jesuit high school and Jesuit college. But this BIGOTED Catholic campaign against equal rights and plain dignity and respect for gays and lesbians caused me to renounce all ties. It is quite an amazing twist of logic to claim that you are the 'victim' when you're called out for actively campaigning to urge people to vote to strip away your fellow human beings' fundamental civil rights. No tolerance for intolerance.

Published by: Carl
Charlotte 11/05/2009 03:25 PM EST

Actually, Johan, the First Ammendment prevents the government from establishing a national religion. It in no way prohibits "faith-based" voting, and there is no mention of your so-called "freedom from religion". If you want that, you have all of the freedom in the world to move to a state with an atheist majority.

Published by: Stephen
U.S.A. 11/05/2009 02:58 PM EST

It would seem that those crying bigot the loudest are in fact like the boy who cried wolf. According to this article similar votes have now been recorded in 31 states all together. I would have to believe for this large amount of states to post similar results that it is not only the Catholic vote in this Yes vote campaign across the country. After the election of President Barak Obama last year a majority of Catholics did in fact vote for the Democratic President even though his views on this and other issues were well known. It's democracy at work when a democracy allows its citizens to cast a ballot state by state right across the entire United States of America.

Published by: Johan
Los Angeles, CA 11/05/2009 01:34 PM EST

Freedom of religion: The freedom to choose one's own religious path, ethics/morality, beliefs, and worship practices. Freedom from religion: The freedom to make choices without influence or restriction from other religions. The First Amendment protects both, according to SCOTUS case law. The Catholic Church leadership seems only to favor the first, and at times actively works to eliminate the last. In influencing marriage law in Maine, they have eroded the First Amendment and have put their own religious freedom at risk.

Published by: Michael Ejercito
Long Beach, California, USA 11/04/2009 10:59 PM EST

I have no problem to same-sex couples have equal rights in a separate institution.

Published by: Theo
Columbus Ohio 11/04/2009 07:42 PM EST

Tyler I will double my contributions for you.

Published by: John
Lakewood, New Jersey 11/04/2009 07:32 PM EST

'Tyler, There is no 'freedom of religion' issue here, simply a matter of civil contract law. Catholics are entited as anyone to voice their opinion at the ballot box on matters of civil law.' Actually there is since the Catholics used the state to punish those who do not concur with their religious beliefs. One need only refer back to Biblical quote to see that he is illegitimately imposing his religious beliefs on the rest of us. which by the way is odd for a Catholic to say since they no longer hold the Bible to be the literal word of god. and this natural law argument is used selectively for it is asserted that a man and a woman were meant for each other but they have no explanation about the sexual orientation part. They can't explain why we are gay, straight, bi or asexual and if "natural law" is to mean anything it has to be grounded in nature. The sexual attraction which calls us to mate with a member of the same or opposite sex cannot be tossed to the side. Its selective use of it suggests that the hierarchy is pulling their rules out of their you know what. I second what Tyler said. The Church's psychological abuse led me to divorce it. Consider it battered gay syndrome. Good riddance.

Published by: Brendan
Detroit, MI 11/04/2009 06:37 PM EST

Tyler, There is no 'freedom of religion' issue here, simply a matter of civil contract law. Catholics are entited as anyone to voice their opinion at the ballot box on matters of civil law.

Published by: Gloria
Washington DC 11/04/2009 05:33 PM EST

Tyler, Do you have any understanding of Church teaching, the Bible, or natural law? Why not extend your embrace of freedom of religion to Catholics who vote based on their beliefs? Why would you not want us to practice our faith or our constitutional right to vote?

Published by: Brent Schumacher
Bozeman, Montana, USA 11/04/2009 05:06 PM EST

The church spent over half a million dollars to support and end to same-sex marriage in Maine alone. It seems in this struggling economy and world. A world filled with hunger and war. Perhaps there could have been a more appropriate use of this money.

Published by: Thomas G.
Alexandria, VA 11/04/2009 05:06 PM EST

Thank God for the witness of the Catholic Church to the natural law and plain common sense, not to mention moral probity.

Published by: Ubipetros
Altoona, PA 11/04/2009 04:36 PM EST

Kudos to the people of Maine and the Catholic Bishops who speak truth to power. And Tyler, if you will walk away from Christ in the Eucharist you were probably never very Catholic anyway. If your heart ever softens, we'll ALWAYS BE HERE to welcome you home.

Published by: Francis
Wareham Ma 11/04/2009 03:11 PM EST

"But from the beginning of the creation, God made them MALE and FEMALE. For this cause a MAN shall leave his FATHER and MOTHER; and shall cleave to his WIFE. And they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore GOD hath joined together, let not man put asunder". (Mark 10: 6-9) Douay Rheims Bible

Published by: Joey
Dallas, Tx 11/04/2009 03:10 PM EST

"while the Catholic Church will continue its commitment to work for the basic human rights to which all people are entitled" Looks like it spent money to remove rights rather than feeding the hungry, helping the poor. It's one thing to say something, another to act on it.

Published by: Tyler
Columbus, Ohio 11/04/2009 01:32 PM EST

Rate: Good

This kind of Catholic bigotry is why I'm not Catholic anymore and would never consider giving a cent to the church again. Stop violating the freedom of religion of people who don't hold the same beliefs you do.

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com