Illinois legislature approves same-sex marriage

November 07, 2013

In a 61-54 vote, the Illinois House of Representatives altered the definition of marriage in the nation’s fifth-most populous state to include same-sex couples. Gov. Pat Quinn said he will sign the legislation, which passed the Illinois Senate by a 34-21 margin in February.

“Today’s decision by Illinois lawmakers to change the definition of marriage not only goes against the common consensus of the human race – which understands that nature tells us that marriage is the union of one man and one woman – but it also undermines an institution that is the cornerstone of a healthy society,” the Catholic Conference of Illinois said in a statement. “The optimal condition in which to raise children is a home that includes both a mother and father, since women and men are not interchangeable.” The statement continued:

The Catholic Conference of Illinois is deeply disappointed that members of the General Assembly chose to redefine what is outside of its authority: a natural institution like marriage. We remain concerned about the very real threats to religious liberty that are at stake with the passage of this bill.

We thank the thousands of citizens across Illinois who joined us in our efforts to preserve marriage in law. This was a truly bipartisan and ecumenical effort, reflective of the fact that a marriage is universally understood as being between a man and a woman.

 

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Further information:

• CCI issues statement on House passage of redefinition of marriage legislation (Catholic Conference of Illinois)