US BISHOPS REACT TO DOMA AND PROP 8 - FREE RESOURCES FROM USCCB ON MARRIAGE
USCCB RELEASE: June 26, 2013
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court decisions June 26 striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act and refusing to rule on the merits of a challenge to California's Proposition 8 mark a "tragic day for marriage and our nation," said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, chair of the U.S. bishops' Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.
The statement follows.
"Today is a tragic day for marriage and our nation. The Supreme Court has dealt a profound injustice to the American people by striking down in part the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The Court got it wrong. The federal government ought to respect the truth that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, even where states fail to do so. The preservation of liberty and justice requires that all laws, federal and state, respect the truth, including the truth about marriage. It is also unfortunate that the Court did not take the opportunity to uphold California's Proposition 8 but instead decided not to rule on the matter. The common good of all, especially our children, depends upon a society that strives to uphold the truth of marriage. Now is the time to redouble our efforts in witness to this truth. These decisions are part of a public debate of great consequence. The future of marriage and the well-being of our society hang in the balance.
"Marriage is the only institution that brings together a man and a woman for life, providing any child who comes from their union with the secure foundation of a mother and a father.
"Our culture has taken for granted for far too long what human nature, experience, common sense, and God's wise design all confirm: the difference between a man and a woman matters, and the difference between a mom and a dad matters. While the culture has failed in many ways to be marriage-strengthening, this is no reason to give up. Now is the time to strengthen marriage, not redefine it.
"When Jesus taught about the meaning of marriage – the lifelong, exclusive union of husband and wife – he pointed back to "the beginning" of God's creation of the human person as male and female (see Matthew 19). In the face of the customs and laws of his time, Jesus taught an unpopular truth that everyone could understand. The truth of marriage endures, and we will continue to boldly proclaim it with confidence and charity.
"Now that the Supreme Court has issued its decisions, with renewed purpose we call upon all of our leaders and the people of this good nation to stand steadfastly together in promoting and defending the unique meaning of marriage: one man, one woman, for life. We also ask for prayers as the Court's decisions are reviewed and their implications further clarified."
Editors: Background information can be found at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/promotion-and-defense-of-marriage/backgrounder-on-proposition-8-and-doma.cfm
Supreme Court Cases: DOMA & Proposition 8
Check back for further updates, statements, op-eds, etc. about the June 26 Supreme Court decisions
USCCB News Release (June 26, 2013): "Supreme Court Decisions on Marriage: 'Tragic Day for Marriage and our Nation,' State U.S. Bishops"
Backgrounder on Proposition 8 and DOMA
Nationwide bulletin insert: "Marriage and the Supreme Court" (May/June 2013)
En Español: "El Matrimonio Y La Corte Suprema" (mayo/junio 2013)
One Man, One Woman, For Life: Lead Messages on Marriage Redefinition (for clergy, leaders, and lay faithful)
En Español: Redefinición del matrimonio: mensajes principales
Ongoing: Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty - The bishops are calling all Catholics throughout the country to pray and fast for the renewal of a culture of life and marriage and for increased protections for religious liberty and conscience rights
Sign the fasting pledge
Join the Call to Prayer Facebook event
Ongoing: Fortnight for Freedom 2013 (June 21 - July 4)
A time of prayer, study, and public action focused on our "first and most cherished liberty," religious freedom
Join the Fortnight for Freedom Facebook event
Recent News Releases:
USCCB Subcommittee Chair Decries Serious Injustice In Delaware (May 8, 2013)
"Marriage is the only institution that unites a man and a woman to each other and to any child conceived of their union."
USCCB Subcommittee Chair Calls Minnesota Lawmakers' Post-Mother's Day Marriage Redefinition 'Height of Irony' (May 15, 2013)
"Instead of strengthening, the Minnesota legislature's decision to redefine marriage weakens motherhood and fatherhood, and so strikes a blow to all children who deserve both a mother and father."
USCCB Subcommittee Chair Applauds "Victory In The Land Of Lincoln"(June 3, 2013)
"Marriage redefinition - even in the face of intense political pressure - is not inevitable."
Key Documents, Statements, and Letters
Jan. 29, 2013: USCCB Amicus Brief in the Supreme Court Case re: the Defense of Marriage Act (United States v. Windsor)
Jan. 29, 2013: USCCB Amicus Brief in the Supreme Court Case re: California's Proposition 8 (Hollingsworth v. Perry)
Sept. 20, 2011: Public letter from Archbishop Dolan to President Obama re: DOMA
Catechetical Resources
Made for Each Other: video and print resources about sexual difference and complementarity
Made for Life: video and print resources about the good of children and the need for fathers and mothers
Website: Marriage: Unique for a Reason
Prayer for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage
Handout: Marriage and Religious Liberty FAQs
Article: "Catholics Care. Catholics Vote: Strengthening and Defending Marriage is a Matter of Justice"
Archbishop Cordileone on Marriage and Faithful Citizenship
Archbishop Cordileone's Presentation to the Bishops at the June 2012 General Assembly (top)
Archbishop Cordileone's Presentation to the Bishops at the November 2012 General Assembly (bottom)