Minnesota bishops disappointed at legislative inaction on marriage

Published: 2006-04-10

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- As a proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution on marriage appeared headed toward defeat in the state Legislature, the state's Catholic bishops expressed disappointment that the matter will remain in the hands of judges. "We commit ourselves to ongoing efforts to educate Catholics and others of good will about the authentic meaning of marriage and family," said an April 7 statement signed by seven bishops. "We will continue to uphold marriage as a faithful, exclusive, lifelong union of a man and a woman." The Senate Judiciary Committee of the Minnesota Legislature voted 5-4 April 4 against a proposed constitutional amendment that would have limited marriage "and its legal equivalent" to the union of one man and one woman. Although supporters could still bring the measure to the full Senate for a vote, its passage was considered unlikely. If approved by the Legislature, the amendment would be placed on the November ballot.

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