Military archbishop, USCCB object to benefits for same-sex domestic partners
February 18, 2013
Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Military Services has joined with Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the US bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, in objecting to the new Department of Defense policy bestowing marriage-like benefits to same-sex domestic partners.
“This new policy under the guise of ‘equal benefits’ undermines marriage as the union of one man and one woman because it treats two persons of the same sex as spouses,” said Archbishop Broglio. “Can the Secretary of Defense establish a policy that undermines federal law as established by DOMA [the Defense of Marriage Act]?”
“In many respects, ‘same-sex domestic partners’ of military members will be treated like spouses,” according to a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops press release. “For instance, the ‘partner’ of the military member will be entitled to a dependent military ID card, legal assistance from the military, and base exchange and commissary privileges. If both ‘partners’ are in the military, they would be eligible for a joint duty assignment – what was customarily referred to as a joint spouse assignment.”
Archbishop Broglio also said that the new policy threatens religious liberty and asked, “Could a JAG officer choose, out of religious or moral convictions, not to give legal advice on marital and family issues to same-sex ‘partners’ without being subject to discipline?”
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Posted by: unum -
Feb. 18, 2013 5:44 PM ET USA
The House GOP leadership announced that it would defend DOMA if Obama did not. Here is an excellent opportunity.
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Posted by: jacquebquique5708 -
Feb. 18, 2013 11:31 AM ET USA
The key issue here is DOMA. Obama has chosen not to defend this law espoused and signed by President Clinton. I would think that this should go to the Supreme Court and then go on from there. It should be noted that there are a goodly number of Catholic feminist women who have key policy positions in the BHO administration. This is no accident.
