* The Catholic bishops of the New England region issued a joint statement this week, expressing their opposition to Vermont’s recently passed “civil union” law which sets up a parallel system of same-sex partnerships that are the legal equivalent of marriage. The statement, issued by the Archdiocese of Boston and signed by the sixteen New England bishops, said: “The legislature of the State of Vermont, by passing the civil unions bill, has attacked centuries of cultural and religious esteem for marriage between a man and a woman and has prepared the way for an attack on the well-being of society itself.”
* MARRIAGE STUDY – A new Heritage Foundation study, entitled “The Effects of Divorce in America,” found that the children of divorce are increasingly the victims of abuse, exhibit more problems (health, behavioral and emotional), and are more frequently involved in crime and drug abuse. “By age 18, only four out of 10 American kids are living with their mom and dad,” said Patrick Fagan, the lead author of the study.
* TRANSVESTITE RIGHTS – A bill expanding California’s nondiscrimination law to include a broad range of sexual-orientation choices has passed a significant hurdle. By one vote, the California Assembly recently passed AB 2142, which would stretch employment protection in California to include transvestites, cross-dressers and drag queens. The bill would penalize non compliant business owners up to $50,000. Property owners who run afoul of the law could be fined by as much as $150,000.
* The Catholic League asked Vice President Al Gore to intervene in the World Gay Pride Event that is scheduled to take place in Rome, July 1-July 9. The Vatican has asked that the event either be postponed or moved to another city so that its Jubilee 2000 celebrations could proceed without undue problems. Gore has balked at the appeal, refusing even to acknowledge the request. The league has asked Catholics to voice their opinions to Gore – [email protected]