MN Catholic Conference statement reiterates Catholic teaching on marriage

On April 15, 2005, the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) published a brief statement reiterating Catholic teaching about marriage and family, and urging support for the proposed amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution, “defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman with no legal equivalent.”

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. Under-mining 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 State Constitution, defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman with no legal equivalent.   

Signed:

Archbishop Harry J. Flynn,

Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis

Bishop Victor H. Balke,

Diocese of Crookston

Bishop John F. Kinney,

Diocese of St. Cloud

Bishop Bernard J. Harrington,

Diocese of Winona

Bishop John C. Nienstedt,

Diocese of New Ulm

Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr,

Diocese of Duluth

Bishop Richard E. Pates, Auxiliary Bishop

Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis