Letter from the Catholic Church

MASSACHUSETTS CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

WEST END PLACE

150 Staniford Street, Suite 5, Boston, MA  02114-2511
Phone (617) 367-6060
FAX (617) 367-2767

[email protected]

May 7, 2007
Hon. Jarrett Barrios
State House
Boston, MA  02133

Dear Senator Barrios:

We, the Roman Catholic Bishops in Massachusetts with nearly 3 million parishioners in communities all across the Commonwealth, urge you to vote at the Constitutional Convention, scheduled to be called to order on May 9th, to move the Marriage Amendment to the November 2008 state-wide ballot.

As Bishops, we reiterate our position that we do not seek the translation of our religious convictions into public policy.  Rather we speak based on universally accessible moral reasoning in order to promote the common good.  We believe that society has a moral responsibility to foster the good of families, since the good of the family is closely linked to the institution of marriage as it has been recognized from time immemorial.

The proponents of the Marriage Amendment have followed the process afforded them by the Massachusetts Constitution.  A record number of registered voters signed petitions asking to put the amendment on the 2008 ballot.  A recent Suffolk University poll concluded that nearly two-thirds of the Commonwealth’s registered voters want to exercise their constitutional right to vote on the Marriage Amendment.

We ask you to listen to the people.  We ask you not to deny the right of our citizens to vote in this democracy.  We ask you to let the people express their views on the future of marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Please vote to move the Marriage Amendment forward for the voter’s consideration at the 2008 ballot.


Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley
Archbishop
Archdiocese of Boston

Most Rev. George W. Coleman
Bishop
Diocese of Fall River

Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell
Bishop
Diocese of Springfield

Most Rev. Robert J. McManus
Bishop
Diocese of Worcester

My Response:

    This has been a difficult budget year and the decline in revenues have forced the legislature to make some difficult decisions.  Many services provided to poor and vulnerable communities are at risk of elimination.  Developmentally delayed adults--some served by Catholic providers--are in danger, as are those suffering with addictions and mental illness.  The poor are generally impacted, and the homeless in particular.  Reduction in support for housing and homeless programs have the very real likelihood of increasing the pain and reducing the life opportunities of the poor in our midst.  Immigrants of all backgrounds are facing a backlash based in ignorance and hate.

    In this context, I have waited anxiously to hear from the Catholic Church,  my church, on behalf of these effected individuals.  You have a strong and persuasive moral voice.  But it has been silent.  Rather than focusing on issues that have little impact on the citizens of our state, I encourage you to speak up for these issues--ones that actually impact the people we profess to care about in our church. 

Jarrett Barrios

Comments

[lisa]

Do you people believe in Lucifer and his twisting thoughts. You people think your gay. Satan has convinced you of this and now your trying to convince everyone else to.
You want to live together fine. Don't slap a marriage license on it and think that is what God wants cause He doesn't. How do I know. Crack open your bibles and read and not just read the parts about God loves all of us, that goes without saying. We know this. Read in depth. Sodom and Gamorrah was not a name of a group it was the name of a banished -from heaven- town. Read and find out why and more. The New testament Jesus spoke of was always man and woman husband and wife not Adam and Steve.

[i10getout]

Marriage is for a man and woman. If any 2 of the same sex want to unite do so.I have no problem with it.Just ask the first 2 newly weds for gay marriage.Just don't let them adopt,I know I would rather be homeless than be raised by 2 guys.The very thought sickens me.

[i10getout]

Marriage is for a man and woman. If any 2 of the same sex want to unite do so.I have no problem with it.Just ask the first 2 newly weds for gay marriage.Just don't let them adopt,I know I would rather be homeless than be raised by 2 guys.The very thought sickens me.

[Ross]

Much as I hate to agree with the Catholic Church on ANYTHING, they do have a point - the people of Massachusetts HAVE petitioned to include this amendment on the ballot. While I personally hope that the amendment is NOT ratified - I am FOR gay marriage - it is a sign of the contempt which legistraitors like Jarret Barrios hold for the people that they are supposed to represent that they will not do their duty and vote on this issue.

But this shouldn't really be a surprise to the people of Massachusetts, who voted for a rollback of the state income tax to 5% - which was ignored - and who voted for the Clean Elections act - ignored.

Stop waffling, Jarrett and either vote yea or nay.

[Doyle Schroeder-Faust]

Thanks for taking a stand to protect the civil rights of all residences of MA.

[Ben]

That letter is just not a good example of "universally accessible moral reasoning." The argument seems to be:

1: Families are good. We all agree so far.
2: Marriage is good for families. OK, maybe not universal, but I agree.
3: If you let gay people get married, it's bad for families. Wo! there, how does that follow?

What about those families with gay parents that will be denied the protection of marriage? How is it good for them exactly? It really bugs me how many people want to pretend that if gay people aren't married they can't have children. Hello? There's 1000s of us already. The proposed amendment doesn't protect marriage is restricts marriage, and increases the number of children with unwed parents.

Anyway, I know you know that. Thanks for fighting the good fight, Jarrett.