Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
Raleigh bishop grateful N. Carolina marriage amendment passed

Raleigh bishop grateful N. Carolina marriage amendment passed

Last updated on: May 10, 2012 at 10:11 am by CNA Daily News

Raleigh bishop grateful N. Carolina marriage amendment passed 2012-05-10T10:11:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Raleigh, N.C., May 10, 2012 / 04:11 am (CNA).- Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh thanked North Carolina voters for passing a marriage amendment that gives constitutional protections to the definition of marriage.

“I express my sincere gratitude to the people of North Carolina who voted for marriage in the referendum completed today,” Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh said May 9.

He said that the amendment ensures that the definition of marriage as “the faithful and exclusive union of one man and one woman” is “in accord with God’s design and in keeping with the very nature of this sacred vocation.”

Unofficial returns show that North Carolina voters approved Amendment 1 by a margin of 61 to 39.

“We are thankful that the state legislature put the decision in the hands of the people, the overwhelming majority of whom made it clear that they want to maintain and protect the traditional definition of marriage,” Diocese of Raleigh spokesman Frank Morock told CNA May 9.

North Carolina law already recognized marriage as the union of a man and a woman, but supporters of Amendment 1 said constitutional protections were necessary to prevent legislative action or a judicial decision from changing marriage.

“The vote to make the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman part of the North Carolina Constitution guarantees that it will remain an essential and enduring institution of society that will not change from generation to generation,” Morlock said.

The amendment recognized marriage as “the only domestic legal union” valid in North Carolina, precluding the legislature from passing civil unions legislation. Courts have used the precedent of civil unions to overturn marriage amendments in states like California.

The pro-Amendment 1 campaign was led by the organization Vote for Marriage, which drew support from many churches. Supporters of the amendment included the 93-year-old Evangelical Christian leader Rev. Billy Graham.

Voters have passed marriage amendments in 31 other U.S. states. Nineteen states have amendments baring same-sex civil unions.

Morlock said there is a need for Catholics and other traditional marriage supporters to “remain diligent” on the issue.

“Continued prayer and education on the question will be essential. A fair number of those who were opposed to the amendment were young adults, who undoubtedly have been influenced by where our culture is today,” he said.

“That will make it a major challenge to overcome, but one worth undertaking for the good of society.”

President Barack Obama opposed the North Carolina amendment. He publicly opposed “gay marriage” in his 2008 race for the White House, but his administration has been working to advance homosexual political causes and he previously described his position on marriage as “evolving.”

On May 9, he declared that he now supports “gay marriage.”

In North Carolina, Amendment 1 supporters received less funding than opponents.

Vote for Marriage raised more than $1 million, including $425,000 from the National Organization for Marriage.

The Coalition to Protect All N.C. Families, an amendment opponent, raised more than $2 million, including nearly $500,000 from the Human Rights Campaign, the Raleigh News & Observer reports.

Morock said that the Catholic support for Amendment 1 made it clear that Church teaching upholds “the immeasurable dignity and equal worth of all persons.”

Bishop Burbidge called for prayers.

“I ask that you join me in praying that whatever divisions may have occurred during this referendum process may be healed by the grace of God and a mutual renewed commitment by all people of good will, so that we may together build a society reflective of the unity that is ours as members of God’s family,” he said.

Previous Post

May 10, 2012

Colo. civil unions bill could revive in special session

Next Post

May 10, 2012 Irish College in Rome changes staff after apostolic visitation

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did Jesus do right after being baptized?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Returned to Galilee Started preaching Visited the temple Went into the wilderness