Phoenix, Ariz., Sep 5, 2008 / 01:34 am
The bishops of Arizona on Thursday released a statement encouraging voters to support Proposition 102, an amendment on the November ballot that would establish a legal definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. “We believe Proposition 102 is in alignment with our deeply held moral beliefs regarding marriage,” they said.
Bishop of Phoenix Thomas J. Olmsted and Bishop of Tucson Gerald F. Kicanas explained that they backed the amendment because they believe that without “constitutional protection,” the state’s present law on marriage could be changed “to the detriment of society.”
“Without constitutional protection, the legal definition of marriage as we understand it today in Arizona is subject to redefinition,” they argued.
According to the bishops’ letter, the proposition states: “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.”