Catholic Bishops Call for Marriage Amendment
WASHINGTON -- In response to the increased cases of legalized sodomy, the council of Roman Catholic bishops released a statement of “general support” for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would define marriage as a union of a man and a woman.
"At a time when family life is under significant stress, the principled defense of marriage is an urgent necessity to ensure the flourishing of persons, the well-being of children and the common good of society," the bishops said.
The protection of marriage requires advocacy for legislation and public policies that "define and support marriage as a unique, essential relationship and institution," the statement said.
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Although the bishops recognized the church's teaching to accept homosexual persons with “respect, compassion and sensitivity," they stressed that this “does not mean changing marriage laws.”
The 50-member administrative committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops met privately in Washington. The statement came after a strong Vatican call to defend traditional marriage; the Vatican denounced same-sex marriages in a July decree from its doctrinal office.
President Bush has not endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment but has said marriage is between a man and a woman, and "we ought to codify that one way or the other."
