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North Carolina Catholic bishops promote protecting marriage in state constitution

Last Updated on Thursday, 08 March 2012 10:25 08 September 2011 Hits: 19

Catholic Voice North Carolina is joining a coalition of groups in support of an amendment to the state constitution to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, Bishops Peter Jugis of Charlotte and Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh sent an e-mail alert to nearly 4,000 registered participants of Catholic Voice NC asking them to contact their state legislators. The bishops also wrote to Gov. Beverly Perdue.

In addition, a Marriage Rally will take place on the grass field behind the Legislature building known as Halifax Mall at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12.

Although state law prohibits same-sex "marriage," supporters say the amendment would strengthen the existing protection by including it in the constitution.

"Our Lord and our Catholic faith have clearly defined marriage," the bishops stated in their e-mail. "It is at risk of being redefined if we do not preserve it in our state constitution. Without this, a judge can declare our present statute defining traditional marriage as unconstitutional, opening the door to same-sex marriage in North Carolina as judges have done in Massachusetts, Iowa and Connecticut."

In their letter to the governor, the bishops described protecting marriage as "foundational to civilization itself."

If approved by the legislature, the measure would go before voters in a referendum in the November 2012 general election.

The bishops' complete message and their letter to Gov. Perdue is online at www.CatholicVoiceNC.org.

— David Hains, Diocesan Director of Communication

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