Albany, N.Y., May 31, 2008 / 11:36 am
The New York governor office’s decision to recognize same-sex marriages contracted outside of New York State has prompted critical reaction from many leaders, some of whom have called the decision “unilateral” and “anti-democratic.”
A Thursday memo from David Nocenti, legal counsel to New York Governor David Paterson, said that state agencies, including those governing insurance and health care, must immediately recognize same-sex marriages legally contracted outside of New York. The memo claimed support in a New York appellate court’s decision saying there was no legal impediment to recognizing the unions until the legislature acts to forbid such recognition.
New York State Catholic Conference Executive Director Richard E. Barnes said the decision was a “unilateral move” and an “unwelcome bypassing” of the state legislature.
“As we have said many times,” Barnes said, “the definition of marriage pre-dates recorded history. No single politician or court or legislature should attempt to redefine the very building block of our society in a way that alters its entire meaning and purpose. The state has a compelling interest in holding up marriage between one man and one woman as the societal model. What our biblical ancestors knew instinctively holds true today: Marriage between a man and a woman is the best way to assure the stable rearing of children and the flourishing of society. It should not be treated as simply one more lifestyle choice, equal to any other, because it is not.”