Minnesota legalizes same-sex marriage
May 16, 2013
Following votes of 75-39 in the state house and 37-30 in the state senate, Gov. Mark Dayton of Minnesota has signed legislation altering the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.
Minnesota is now the twelfth state that has legalized same-sex marriage.
“There are many of us Americans, including many Minnesotans, who stand for the natural and true meaning of marriage,” said Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage. “They know that men and women are important; their complementary difference matters, their union matters, and it matters to kids … Instead of strengthening, the Minnesota legislature's decision to redefine marriage weakens motherhood and fatherhood, and so strikes a blow to all children who deserve both a mother and father.”
“Some wish to believe that sexual relationships outside of the marital context of husband and wife are innocuous, choosing to ignore the fact that they are actually harmful to individuals and to society as a whole,” he added. “We know what it takes to work toward a culture of life even in the midst of laws that work against us. The same is true for rebuilding a culture of marriage. No matter what the horizon may bring, we will continue in charity and truth to stand for justice and for the most vulnerable among us.”
“Although we were unable to convince legislators that Minnesota needed to strengthen marriage, not redefine it, we take comfort in the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ from today’s Gospel: ‘In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world,’” the Minnesota Catholic Conference said in a statement. “May St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church, and Our Lady of Fatima, intercede for the Church, the State of Minnesota, and our nation.”
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Further information:
- USCCB Subcommittee Chair Calls Minnesota Lawmakers’ Post-Mother’s Day Marriage Redefinition ‘Height Of Irony’ (USCCB)
- Statement (MCC): Statement on Senate Vote to Redefine Marriage in Minnesota (Minnesota Catholic Conference)
- Minnesota: Governor Signs Same-Sex Marriage Into Law (New York Times)
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