Archbishop Fernando Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador has asked Salvadorans to support a petition calling on the country’s Congress to ratify a proposed constitutional reform measure that would officially declare marriage to be the union of one man and one woman.

“We are collecting signatures to ask the Legislative Assembly to ratify the articles that establish that marriage will be constituted by the union of one man and one woman, naturally born, and that marriages between people of the same sex will not be recognized,” including those celebrated in other countries, the Archbishop said during a press conference.

The petition drive, organized by the international organization Red Familia, calls for the ratification of a constitutional reform approved by the Salvadoran Congress in April of 2005.  In order to pass the measure needs to receive 56 out of 84 votes.  Some 32 liberal congressmen have said they will vote against the reform.

“We are seeking protection for the institution of the family,” Archbishop Saenz said.  “It’s a call to Salvadorans to join in this campaign.”