Massachusetts bishops 'disturbed' by thwarted marriage vote

Published: 2006-11-17

BOSTON (CNS) -- The Catholic bishops of Massachusetts said they are "deeply disturbed" by the state Legislature's recent move to squelch a proposed amendment that would limit future same-sex marriages. "The effort to silence the people through inaction and delay has no place in democracy," they said in a Nov. 14 statement after the Legislature recessed the constitutional convention without voting. "Citizens of the commonwealth have exercised their right to initiate the petition process afforded to them by our state constitution, and they have complied with the law at every step," they added. "Our public servants have no less of an obligation to follow the law by bringing the marriage amendment to a legislative vote." On Nov. 9 the joint session of the Legislature voted 109-87 to recess until the last day of the legislative session Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. They did not vote on the citizen's initiative petition aimed to allow voters to decide the definition of marriage.

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