Prelate endorses State Marriage Defense Act
March 03, 2014
The chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage has endorsed the State Marriage Defense Act of 2014, which has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
“Various agencies of the Executive Branch-- most recently the Department of Justice by order of Attorney General Holder-- have decided to use a ‘place of celebration’ rule rather than a ‘place of domicile’ rule when determining the validity of a marriage for purposes of federal rights, benefits, and privileges,” Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said in a letter to Cruz. “The effect, if not the intent, of this choice is to circumvent state laws defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”
“Your bill would remedy this problem by requiring the federal government … to defer to the marriage law of the state in which people actually reside when determining whether they are married for purposes of federal law,” added the prelate, who endorsed similar House legislation in January.
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Further information:
- State Marriage Defense Act Introduced In U.S. Senate Receives Strong Endorsement From USCCB Subcommittee Chairman (USCCB)
- Full text of letter (USCCB)
- Archbishop Cordileone backs State Marriage Defense Act (CWN, 1/15)
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Posted by: unum -
Mar. 04, 2014 8:16 AM ET USA
Many in our Catholic hierarchy are preaching to the politicians when they should be preaching to the Catholic laity. Christ didn't waste his time talking to politicians, but our bishops seem to be infatuated with politics instead of the people in the pews.
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Posted by: Tex132 -
Mar. 03, 2014 11:51 PM ET USA
Ted Cruz is from Texas not Florida.
