NJ Bishops’ 2009 statement on marriage offers response to renewed same sex marriage push
Gay rights activists filed suit June 29, 2011 in State Superior Court to overturn New Jersey’s Civil Union law.  New Jersey passed a domestic partnership law in 2002 and legalized civil unions in 2006. Advocates for same sex marriage in New Jersey contend that the provisions in the civil union law do not ensure equal rights under the law and that only marriage can provide equality. An attempt to pass same sex marriage in New Jersey failed again in January, 2010.

The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey addressed this issue in their statement promulgated Aug. 22, 2009, titled:  “The Call to Marriage is Woven Deeply into the Human Spirit.” In it, they state: As Catholics, we must not stand by in silence in the face of the many challenges that threaten marriage and, in turn, children and the public good. We must not shirk our responsibility. We must protect and promote marriage. We must not abandon the teaching of the Catholic Church on marriage and the complementarity of the sexes - a truth that is evident to right reason and recognized as such by the major cultures of the world.

In the 2,200-word statement, the bishops provide background on the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage and the importance of preserving the definition of the institution as a relationship between one man and one woman. It renews the Church’s commitment to nurture married couples and all members of families, and to bring Christ’s compassion to those who are experiencing difficulties, illness and anxiety. 

To read the full statement, click here.

To learn more about the N.J. Bishops’ statements on marriage, go to http://www.njcathconf.com/content/family_life_marriage_teaching.php. 

For information on the U.S. Bishops’ initiatives to defend and promote the sanctity of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, go to http://www.usccb.org/defenseofmarriage/