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Bishops' Support for Ontario Same-Sex Bill Disappoints Pro-Marriage Groups

Bishops “Commend” Catholic Premier and Liberal Government for Legislation

TORONTO, February 23, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – An Ontario bill to redefine spouse in line with same-sex ‘marriage’ is being rammed through the provincial legislature and is expected to receive a final vote tomorrow. The legislation also contains limited protection for religious freedom. The Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops (OCCB) shocked pro-family groups today with a press release titled, “Ontario Catholic Bishops support protective legislation.”

In the release the OCCB makes clear that it continues to oppose the Ontario court decision which redefined marriage, however, it also “commends Premier Dalton McGuinty and his government for proposing this legislation."

In an interview with LifeSiteNews.com OCCB general secretary Tom Reilly stressed that it was for religious protection that the bill is being supported. “Priests will have some protection, they won’t find themselves in court,” he said. "The Bishops wanted to be sure that religious bodies could not be compelled to allow their properties to be used for purposes associated with same-sex unions if such are contrary to their teachings, as is true for the Catholic Church", said Mr. Reilly in the release. "The Bill clearly provides this protection and the Ontario Bishops accordingly support it", he added.

Most pro-family leaders LifeSiteNews.com spoke with about the OCCB release were stunned. Rev. Tristan Emmanuel, a Presbyterian minister and the Executive Director of Equipping Christians for the Public Square told LifeSiteNews.com, “It’s not about protecting ourselves as individuals, not about protecting our collection baskets or buildings, it’s about defending a sacred institution.” Rev. Emmanuel said he was encouraged by the Pope’s reported comment, from his new book which hit the press over the weekend, that gay marriage is part of an “ideology of evil.”

“The church needs to show leadership in this area and many of us believe it’s a sacrament and we must speak as one,” said Rev. Emmanuel. “Which means we don’t commend Christian politicians, Catholic or otherwise, who compromise the integrity of marriage and think they can buy us off,” he concluded with reference to Premier McGuinty – a Catholic.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada also issued a press release on the legislation, however, in it they both expressed concerns about the legislation and praised its protection of religious freedoms. “The EFC welcomes the protection for religious freedom in Ontario Bill 171 . . . However, the EFC is concerned that the purpose of this omnibus bill is to recognize in Ontario law the redefinition of marriage,” said the release.

The EFC notes that the bill fails to protect religious rights of civil officials on marriage. Moreover Bruce Clemenger, president of the EFC said he is suspicious of the timing of the bill. “Given that the federal government legislation on this subject is currently being debated. It appears that it is intended to put pressure on the federal government,” he said.

The Supreme Court did not rule that marriage must be redefined. The matter is for the federal Parliament to decide. “The provincial government should not be changing its laws to reflect the redefinition of marriage when the federal parliament is still debating the issue,” said Clemenger.

“Also we are very concerned about the long term effects of this bill,” he says. “It’s a sad day when the language of husband and wife is now permanently erased from the law.”

REAL Women of Canada’s Gwen Landolt commented on the OCCB support for the bill saying, “They’ve really missed the point.” Landolt told LifeSiteNews.com, “Unfortunately in getting religious protection, they’ve overlooked the broad picture which is the passage of legislation that ceases to respect spouse as a man and a woman and instead are acknowledging as a fait accompli that spouse can include same sex couples.” She concluded, “In effect the bishops are showing their political naiveté on one of the most crucial issues Canada has faced since confederation.”

See the OCCB Press Release
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005_docs/OCCB_Feb_22_release.pdf

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Ontario Bill to Enshrine Sam-Sex Marriage in Province; Offers Limited Religious Protection
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/feb/05022301.html

“Man”, “Woman”, “Wife”, “Husband”, “Widow”, “Widower” Banished From all Ontario Law
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/feb/05022511.html

Urgent Ontario Action Item – Call MPPs Today Urging Vote Against Same-Sex Marriage Bill
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/feb/05022304.html

jhw

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