Mass. bishops urge action from Catholics re marriage amendment

Boston, Mass., Oct 31, 2006 / 22:00 pm

The bishops of Massachusetts are calling on Catholics to contact their state senators and representatives and to urge them to advance the Marriage Amendment, which would protect the legal definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Massachusetts State Legislature must vote on the amendment (H.4617) by the end of this year. The Senate and House are scheduled to meet in Constitutional Convention Nov. 9, two days after the General Election, to take up all proposed amendments, including the Marriage Amendment.

Supporters of same-sex marriage are urging legislators to boycott the Constitutional Convention to deny the vote that would be needed to pass the Marriage Amendment, the bishops said.

In fact, if enough members walk out or fail to show up for debate Nov. 9, a legislative vote would be prevented, and the Marriage Amendment would inevitably die, the bishops stated in their message. This would deny citizens their right to vote on the issue in a 2008 ballot.

Supporters of traditional marriage must counteract the current efforts and urge their legislators to show up Nov. 9 and to vote, the bishops said. They also urged Catholics to pray and to gather in front of the State House in Boston to show their support for traditional marriage and the people’s right to vote on marriage in a 2008 ballot.

The message was issued by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Bishop George Coleman, Bishop Timothy McDonnell, and Bishop Robert McManus.

Citizens can reach their legislators by dialing the State House in Boston at 617-722-2000 and asking to be forwarded to the legislator’s office.