Missouri to vote on constitutional amendment to define marriage

Published: 2004-05-24

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (CNS) -- Catholic officials in Missouri will support a proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Missourians will vote on the proposed amendment at either the August primary election or the November general election. "This is not a vote against people who are homosexual," said Deacon Larry Weber, executive director of the Missouri Catholic Conference, which lobbies the state General Assembly and educates voters on the church's behalf. "It is a vote in favor of preserving the traditional family unit in this state. Families are and always have been the foundation of our society. We believe that without stable families, our society will collapse," Deacon Weber said. "As Catholic people of faith, we believe that we must preserve the sacred institution of marriage as a means of providing for the common good of all people -- present and future -- in Missouri." State law already defines marriage as existing only between one man and one woman. A constitutional amendment would prevent state courts or lawmakers from striking down that law.

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