Federalism, same-sex marriage, and what a bishop has to say about it

Last updated on: February 17, 2015 at 2:06 am by CNA Daily News

Federalism, same-sex marriage, and what a bishop has to say about it 2015-02-17T02:06:00+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.

Washington D.C., Feb 16, 2015 / 07:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The head of the U.S. bishops’ marriage committee is backing new legislation that thwarts the federal government from bypassing state marriage laws.

“Various agencies of the Executive Branch” are effectively, if not intentionally, trying “to circumvent state laws defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman,” wrote Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco in a letter to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Rep. Randy Weber (R-Tex.), sponsors of a new bill that would prevent such circumvention.

Cruz and Weber have introduced the State Marriage Defense Act of 2015 in the Senate and House, respectively. The bill would recognize a couple’s marriage in the state where they currently reside, not the state they were married in, to determine their federal marriage benefits.

The federal government was using language to bypass state laws upholding traditional marriage, instead giving benefits to a couple based on the state in which they received their marriage license.

Thus under this policy, if a same-sex couple was living in a state that upheld traditional marriage, they would still receive the federal marriage benefits and privileges.

Supporters of the new bill invoked the Supreme Court’s 2013 Windsor decision that struck down the federal law upholding traditional marriage – the Defense of Marriage Act – but, they argued, also affirmed the right of states to define marriage.

Windsor “reaffirmed the states’ longstanding authority to define marriage,” Cruz stated.

“The Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in United States v. Windsor, however, requires the federal government to defer to state marriage law, not disregard it.” wrote Archbishop Cordileone.

The archbishop praised the State Marriage Defense Act for upholding traditional marriage.

“Marriage needs to be preserved and strengthened, not redefined,” he said, thanking the members of Congress for bringing up “this needed bill.”

The bill was introduced last year in the Democrat-controlled Senate and GOP-controlled House, but was never brought up for a vote.

The states have the authority to define marriage and that must be recognized by Congress, the bill begins: “Congress affirms the States’ legitimate and proper public policy interests in regulating domestic relations and in defining marriage for the residents of their States.”

“I support traditional marriage,” Cruz stated, adding that his bill “helps safeguard the ability of states to preserve traditional marriage for their citizens.”

The bill has 11 co-sponsors – all of them Republican – in the Senate, according to Congress.gov, and the House version has 26 co-sponsors, all Republicans.

Previous Post

February 17, 2015

A Presidents Day reminder: rights are a gift from God

Next Post

February 17, 2015 What are the challenges facing family catechesis in India?

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

How many "types" of Psalms are often recognized (e.g., praise, lament, wisdom)?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Five or more Fifty Ten only One