MN Catholic Conference Statement on the Constitutional Amendment on Marriage

The Minnesota Catholic Conference Statement on the Constitutional Amendment on Marriage was formally approved December 22, 2005 by Archbishop Harry J. Flynn and Bishops Richard E. Pates, John C. Nienstedt, Bernard J. Harrington, Victor H. Balke, John F. Kinney and Dennis M. Schnurr. Founded by the Roman Catholic Bishops of Minnesota in 1968, the Minnesota Catholic Conference has provided a unified voice for the six dioceses of Minnesota in identifying, formulating and implementing public policy objectives consistent with the social teachings of the Church. The statement reads:

We, the undersigned Catholic bishops of Minnesota, believe that marriage is a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman joined in an intimate partnership of life and love. This union was instituted by God at the beginning of creation for the mutual fulfillment of the husband and wife as well as for the procreation and education of children. This belief obviously flows from a tradition shared by millions.

As citizens, we believe that marriage and family life are the basic units of any authentically human community that works to provide a stable environment for personal growth and true happiness. Marriage and family life are essential to a proper social and political order.

The nature of the marital relationship between one man and one woman requires that it be preserved, protected and promoted in both private and public realms. At a time when family life is under significant stress, the principled defense of marriage is an urgent necessity for the well being of children and families, and for the common good of society. Undermining the true meaning and purpose of marriage will have profound personal, economic and social consequences.

We urge the members of our Church and all men and women of good will to join us in protecting and promoting the authentic meaning of marriage in our society, by supporting the proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman with no legal equivalent.

We, therefore, ask all of our parishes to undertake a postcard campaign petitioning our legislators to place the issue of a Constitutional Marriage Amendment on the ballot for November 2006. We ask that these be sent by the second Sunday of February 2006, which is the World Day for Marriage. We trust, then, that the issue will come before the people and we will work to ensure that the citizens of this great State decide what marriage means, rather than leaving the issue to the judiciary.

May God bless our undertaking to support the fundamental values of life, marriage and family. And may God bless all of you who assist in this good work.