News

The bishops of the state of Washington issued a warning to Catholics about the untold ramifications of changing the definition of marriage, including a direct threat to faithful Catholic education:

At the November referendum, the state’s voters will have the opportunity to ratify or reject a new state law allowing same-sex marriage.

In addition, the legal separation of marriage from procreation would have a chilling effect on religious liberty and the right of conscience. Once marriage is redefined as a genderless contract, it will become legally discriminatory for public and private institutions such as schools to promote the unique value of children being raised by their biological mothers and fathers.

No institution or individual could propose that married mothers and fathers provide a singular benefit to children without being accused of discrimination. Recent attacks on churches, businesses and nonprofit organizations that express their conscientious objection to the redefinition of marriage underscore the danger. Those who uphold families based on the permanent, faithful relationship between a married man and woman as the best environment for raising children already have been accused of hate speech, and the right of religious institutions to freely practice their faith has been abridged.

The Washington State Catholic Conference represents Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle, Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Spokane, Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of Yakima, and Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo of Seattle.

Reprinted with permission from Campus Notes, the blog of The Cardinal Newman Society.