Phoenix, Ariz., Jun 12, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Arizona's three Catholic bishops support the principles of a state ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage and may issue a pastoral statement on marriage “when the appropriate time presents itself,” reported the Arizona Daily Star.
A state ballot initiative, banning same-sex marriage, was introduced last month. The amendment would also forbid different jurisdictions within the state from recognizing any legal status for unmarried couples. Health benefits for unmarried couples and the city's domestic partner registry would be nullified.
The three bishops — Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix and Bishop Donald Pelotte of Gallup — attended press conferences, announcing the ballot initiative.
But the Arizona Catholic Conference has said that while the three bishops support the principles of the amendment, they have not yet endorsed it, reported the Daily Star.