Dec 11, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The bishops of Illinois are calling on Catholics throughout the state to take action in an effort to persuade legislators to protect and preserve marriage.
In their joint statement, dated Nov. 11, the bishops said they support efforts to modify Illinois law and eliminate the ambiguity of the term “marriage” in the constitution.
They have endorsed a petition, organized by the Citizens Initiative on Marriage, in favor of adding a constitutional amendment regarding marriage in the form of a referendum to the November 2006 ballot. The initiative, sponsored by the Catholic Conference of Illinois, is aimed at gathering 285,000 signatures.
Catholic Conference of Illinois spokesperson Zachary Wichman told the Catholic Explorer that petitions are available at parishes. They must be notarized and submitted to the State Board of Elections by May 8.