Dallas, Texas, Oct 5, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Catholic bishops of Texas are urging all Texans to vote Nov. 8 in favor of an amendment to the state constitution that will prohibit the legalization of same-sex unions in Texas. Proposition 2 will amend the state’s constitution recognizing marriage only as a union between one man and one woman.
The bishops strongly urged all Catholics to hit the polling booths. “In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue and a participation in the political process is a moral obligation. All believers are called to a faithful citizenship,” they said.
“There should be no separation between one’s faith and life in either public or private realms. … By our voice, we as Catholics should contribute to society’s welfare and test its public life by the standards of right reason and Gospel truth. This is particularly urgent in light of the need to protect the nature of marriage,” they concluded.
In their letter Sept. 29, the bishops outlined the Church’s teaching on marriage and its “irreplaceable contribution to the common good of society, especially through the procreation and education of children.
The lifelong union between one man and one woman in marriage “is unique among creation in so far as it is established by God. This fundamental truth ought to be recognized as such in law,” the bishops said.
“Marriage did not originate from either the Church or state, but from God. Therefore, we believe neither Church nor state has the right to alter the nature and structure of marriage,” the bishops said. “What God has joined together let no one put asunder.”
The bishops said their support for the amendment was not motivated by animosity or discrimination toward any group, saying that “the Church’s teaching about the human dignity of every human person, including homosexuals, is also clear and strong.”
“Homosexual persons are to be treated with respect and compassion. Our respect for them means we condemn all forms of unjust discrimination, harassment or abuse,” they wrote.
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