Prelate welcomes failure to enact same-sex marriage in Illinois

June 04, 2013

The Illinois House of Representatives did not vote on legislation to redefine marriage to include couples of the same sex because it did not appear to have sufficient votes to pass – prompting a statement from the chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.

“This victory in the Land of Lincoln demonstrates that marriage redefinition – even in the face of intense political pressure – is not inevitable, a likely reason we haven't heard much about it in the national media,” said Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco.

“Leaders of various faith traditions spoke eloquently on the reality that nature and nature’s God make clear that marriage is the union of one man and one woman,” he continued. “Catholics will continue to proclaim with people of other faiths and of no particular faith that marriage is the one-flesh union of one man and one woman. Indeed, both faith and reason lead us to this truth.”

A Chicago television station reported that “mounting pressure from the Chicago Archdiocese and the African American Clergy Coalition is believed be partially responsible for the sudden lack of votes needed to pass the bill.”

 

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Further information:

• USCCB Subcommittee Chair Applauds ‘Victory in the Land of Lincoln’ (USCCB)
• Illinois gay marriage bill could still be revived (WLS-TV)