VANCOUVER, January 31, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – With Federal legislation to redefine marriage coming out tomorrow, Catholic bishops across the country have been taking an active role in fighting the legislation.
In addition to the recent interventions of Calgary Bishop Fred Henry and Cardinals Aloysius Ambrozic and Marc Ouellet, over the weekend several bishops have taken measures to stop the bill.
In Sudbury, Ontario, Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe led about 100 people in a demonstration in defence of traditional marriage in front of the offices of a pro-homosexual marriage politician.
The group was met by counter protestors.
In Vancouver, British Columbia, Archbishop Raymond Roussin issued a pastoral letter in defence of marriage to all parishes with a request that it be read from the pulpit and made available to parishioners. Archbishop Roussin also asked for prayers for the country. (see the full text of his letter here)
The Halifax Archidiocese in Nova Scotia placed a full page ad in the provincial paper, the Chronicle Herald, defending marriage and asking people to contact their MPs.
All across the country churches of every denomination are passing out postcards to send to MPs asking that traditional marriage be protected.
Bishop Henry, who issued the strongest and most comprehensive argumentation on the issue, will be speaking at a “Battle for Marriage” rally in Calgary on next Saturday, February 5 with renowned Canadian evangelist Rev. David Mainse of television’s 100 Huntley Street. (for info call David Krayden, at 403-889-1902)
Also on February 5, a Hamilton-Niagara Ontario rally is being organised by the ECP Centre.
On February 19 a pro-marriage press conference is scheduled in the national capital of Ottawa.