Bay State bishops laud Legislature's approval of marriage amendment

Published: 2007-01-03

BOSTON (CNS) -- The Catholic bishops of Massachusetts thanked state legislators Jan. 2 "for living up to their oath of office" by voting on a constitutional marriage amendment initiative before ending their legislative session. On the last day in its 2005-06 session, a reluctant Legislature narrowly approved the initiative, which would amend the state's constitution to ban same-sex marriages. Then it voted to reconsider. Then it voted again -- also narrowly -- to approve the measure. The state's bishops, strong advocates of the initiative, said, "Today the constitutional rights of the citizens of the commonwealth have been upheld. The democratic process and the right of the people to have their voices heard were affirmed." If the 2007-08 Legislature gives the amendment its second approval this year, it would appear on the November 2008 ballot.

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