Catholics for Marriage Equality Announces Support for Same-Sex Marriage Declaration

Contact: Anne Underwood, Catholics for Marriage Equality, (207) 650-1588

Portland, October 28- Catholics for Marriage Equality announced today that more than 500 Maine Catholics from Madawaska to Kittery have signed its declaration of support for same-sex marriage. According to Catholics for Marriage Equality co-founder, Anne Underwood, the signatures were obtained solely by word-of-mouth.

The statement reads in part:

“As faithful Roman Catholics and citizens of the State of Maine, we believe that the right of every citizen to practice freedom of religion is based on the principle of respect for the dignity of each individual. Without that guarantee, the danger of one religious tradition or doctrine dominating another threatens all and protects none.”

“The bishop has exercised his religious freedom and constitutional right to prohibit any communication from or about our group on church property or in church publications," said Underwood. "This has severely limited our ability to fully inform Catholics who want get the facts and to learn more about voting NO on 1."

Catholics for Marriage Equality [C4ME] is comprised of practicing Catholics who support civil marriage for same-sex couples as affirmation of the scriptural and social justice teaching of their church.

“The declaration is our way to assure other Catholics and our gay and lesbian family members and friends that many Catholics believe the God of Love calls them to support families of same-sex couples by permitting civil marriage,” Underwood added.

Catholics supporting No on 1 may sign the declaration at www.religiouscoalition.org

The full text of the declaration:

As faithful Roman Catholics and citizens of the State of Maine, we believe that the right of every citizen to practice freedom of religion is based on the principle of respect for the dignity of each individual. Without that guarantee, the danger of one religious tradition or doctrine dominating another threatens all and protects none. Making the equality of citizens not only an ideal but a living truth, we affirm the May 6, 2009 act of the Maine Legislature to end marriage discrimination by granting civil marriage for same-sex couples. Our declaration of conscience is based on the following:

The American principle of the separation of Church and State was enshrined in the Constitution to ensure that no particular religious perspective would be imposed on our pluralistic society.

Catholic teaching on social justice has been central to the building of a just society, creating awareness of diversity in the human family, calling us to lives of respect for one another, and not only tolerance.

We remember that Roman Catholics were once denied civil rights, treated with suspicion, ridiculed because of our sacred rituals, and questioned as to our allegiance to “foreign authorities.” Memory challenges us to remain vigilant whenever bigotry and injustice enters into public discourse.

Same-sex civil marriage does not in any way coerce any religious faith or tradition to change its beliefs or doctrine or alter its traditional marriage practices.

We know that God is a most gracious and wonderful Creator. Many of us have gay and lesbian relatives and friends. We value the love and commitment we witness in their relationships; their devotion to each other and their children. Civil marriage bestows the dignity and equality called for in our nation’s highest ideals, “the inherent natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

As Roman Catholics, we differentiate between sacramental marriage and civil marriage. Therefore, we perceive that same-sex civil marriage poses no threat to our Church. While we respect the authority and integrity of the Church in matters of faith, our prayers and discernment have brought us to a new openness on this issue. We do not ask the Church to perform same-sex marriages. We do implore the Church to honor the State’s prerogative to authorize civil marriages for our gay and lesbian family and friends.

Grateful for the gift of our faith and the ways that we have been nourished by faith throughout our lives, and also grateful for our citizenship in America and in this State, we sign this statement as Roman Catholic citizens of Maine.