Marriage Wins! Overwhelming Victory for the Truth in North Carolina Vote

5/10/2012

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Marriage Amendment. This is one more example of our bishops taking a strong stand on one of the defining moral issues of our age.

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Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Raleigh and the Diocese of Charlotte were provided a letter in their parish bulletins May 5-6, 2012, from Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh and Bishop Peter J. Jugis of Charlotte, asking Catholics in North Carolina to join them in voting for the Marriage Amendment on the May 8 election ballot.

The Amendment defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman and as the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in the state.

"We are FOR this definition of marriage," the Bishops wrote, "because we believe it is a vocation in which God calls couples to faithfully and permanently embrace a fruitful union that is open to the gift of children."

To the claim that the Amendment will codify discrimination against homosexual persons, the Bishops noted, "As Catholics, we believe in the immeasurable dignity and equal worth of all persons. And so we reject hatred or the unjust treatment of any person. We believe that our human dignity comes from God," adding it "flows not from the expression of our sexual orientation nor from any of our actions."

The letter followed a postcard mailing to all registered Catholics in both Dioceses citing five reasons "Why Traditional Marriage Matters." The mailing was in support of the nonpartisan Marriage Amendment, which lies in the hands of the voters of North Carolina.

*****

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This coming Tuesday, May 8th, North Carolinians will have the opportunity to adopt the proposed Marriage Amendment to our State Constitution. This amendment defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman and as the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.

We, the Bishops of North Carolina, have repeatedly voiced our strong support FOR the Marriage Amendment and we are asking Catholics in both Dioceses to vote FOR the amendment.

We are FOR this definition of marriage, because we believe it is a vocation in which God calls couples to faithfully and permanently embrace a fruitful union that is open to the gift of children, a gift that comes from the sexual expression between a man and a woman. The children born of this union have the right to the indispensable place of a father and a mother in their lives. Children grow, are loved, nurtured and formed by those whose unique vocation is to be a father and a mother to their child.

Some have insisted that the Amendment will codify discrimination against homosexual persons. As Catholics, we believe in the immeasurable dignity and equal worth of all persons. We believe that our human dignity comes from God, and so we reject hatred or the unjust treatment of any person.

The fact that we do not embrace same sex marriage though can never be seen as discriminatory, as we believe that the source of our human dignity and the respect we owe to all people, flows not from the expression of our sexual orientation nor any of our actions, but rather from the dignity given to each of us by God.

Therefore, the marriage of one man and one woman, which forms a unique, complementary and fruitful bond, does not negate the respect and equal worth of all people, but is rather a union which strengthens all of our relationships with others.

While our State already has a law which prohibits same-sex marriage, as we are well aware by what has taken place in several other states, such laws can be overturned by judicial or legislative action. This is why it is so important for us to vote to protect traditional marriage and pass the amendment to make this definition of marriage part of our State Constitution. The vote this week places this decision in the hands of the people of North Carolina.

We ask you to join us in our support FOR the sacred vocation of marriage and what its definition means to us and to the future of our great State. Vote FOR the referendum and Vote FOR marriage on Tuesday, May 8th.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge
Bishop of Raleigh
Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis
Bishop of Charlotte

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Amendment One, North Carolina, Marriage, Homosexual, gay marriage, defense of marriage, Deacon Keith Fournier

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1 - 10 of 21 Comments

Rob
1 year ago
Judy, excellent post! (as always). A lot of what you are speaking of involves the moral conscience of our nation. What role do you think the church has played as to where we are today? Is our government out of control, or are they merely taking advantage of a morally weak nation whereby the voice of Chruch seems so muted in America?
Judy
1 year ago
Edju: I would like to say that you are wrong...but the sad Truth is, I think you are probably right. It is the younger generation that wants it. That is ready to go w/the flow. Pete Brady, I agree. Evidently we are dinosaurs. I also liked DDL COMPARISON that sex is like emptying the bladder. Science has got sex has a bodily function: food, toilet, etc. But the thing is, one doesn't NEED sex to MAINTAIN LIFE. NO MATTER WHAT AGE! Krauhammer (spell it?) on FOX, agrees w/the eventuality of same sex marriage being the law of the land. On the BB show that he is always on, and O'R, he said, he really doesn't think this will be a "front burner" issue for voting. But, that in 20 years or so, the younger generation, in his opinion, will have their way. He, O'R and a lot of us perhaps, maybe by then, will have bitten the dust. Sad to say, but unless their is a radical change, I can see it. Just being realistic. I wrote a post somewhere here, on Theresa H. End of Democracy. Atheists and Liberals just don't get it. In the meantime, we have to do the best and the most we can for the doors to swing the other way. And pray. Pray a great deal. Blessings...
Judy
1 year ago
I am Not an extremist or fanatic. I know how Important the family is in society. However, the groundwork having been laid for the position we find ourselves in, and the Church, doing what she thought best according to the times, I see our country undergoing a transition...one that she has never known or experienced before. She has known war, yet this is not war. Yes, it may be a subtle and silent Civil War, since Roe v. Wade. It may spill the blood of thousands upon thousands of unborn babies, but it is not counted as a Real Civil War like that of our forefathers. Nor would we want it to be. Next, we have another decline and breakdown in the family. Obama's further "evolution" of same sex marriages. It is nothing more than Obama fulfilling a long held desire of radical change. The kind that eliminates all the Norman Rockwell prints ever made. I wish people could see that. Not only does this create a breakdown in "family", but society itself. Since the beginning of man, there has been and was the family...in all cultures. Yes, I know that some societies had man/boy relationships before marriage, but this was not the norm, and it certainly was not permanent that I am aware. The point being: There has Never been such a breakdown of the family before. There is not only a transition in our country, which I use to think and hope was stable, but in Europe as well.

Now consider France's (freedoms). France is not the France of old. It has gone off the charts! Certainly as far as morality is concerned. It is now populated by 1/3 Muslims: That procreate.
That worship and pray to Allah. Need I say more?

I am reminded of one of Theresa H. posts. The decline of a democracy. Whoever read it, will see its Truth. I do not know if I am allowed to ask but I will. Deacon Keith: I could not copy Theresa H. post. Could you send it to my e-mail? Thank you if you can, and I understand if you can't.

Let us Pray for an awakening. Let us Pray for the Unborn, that they may RIP. Let us Pray for the Conversion of sinners, including that of our own souls. Let us Pray for our Spiritual leaders. And let us Pray for government leaders everywhere. In Jesus Name we Pray. Amen.
Blessings...
Jael
1 year ago
I am sick of hearing people say voting for the amendment is closed-minded, we should be ashamed, we are bigots, etc. etc.
The truth, no matter how unpopular or against "intellectual" opinion, is the truth from God.

Also, young people (hopefully) grow up. They graduate and stop going to progressive lunatic propaganda mills, get married and have children. They start working so they don't have as much time to have their brain conditioned into pliable goo from tv sitcom infomercials. They (should) become responsible for their kids moral upbringing, become less self-centered since they are responsible for another human being besides themselves, and start going back to church. They then (should) become horrified at what their children are being taught at school.
It's so cool to be a young hipster and vote for "equality" and "tolerance" with our emotions BUT when your own child comes home from school with a fisting kit and graphic illustrations of homosexual positions, you should start to question.

This issue is NOT about two people and their private decision--the "how could it possibly affect you?" guilt trip. It does affect us! It is about a group of people that wish to normalize deviant sexual behavior, indoctrinate our children into hypersexuality, and change the way everyone lives.

They are pushing an agenda.

Please google Kevin Jennings--the "Safe" School Czar that Obama appointed. He was the founder of GSLEN and came up with a reading list for our children that is absolutely appalling.
Google Dan Savage, another WH favorite, and how "wonderful" his anti-bully message is against Christians.

Don't buy into the fake emotional ploy that it is fair and reasonable, you should be ashamed, blah blah.
These people would impose their view on everyone without any sympathy for tolerance of Christian ideas. (Like the health mandate) These people would outlaw Christianity as hate speech if given one toe in the door. Oh yeah, like Canada.
Check out how homeschoolers and Catholic schools in Alberta CANNOT BY LAW teach that homosexual acts are sinful. They are FORCED to teach "diversity." (Diversity meaning everything BUT Christianity is ok).
Check out how Bishop Juan Antonio in Spain is being legally persecuted for his Good Friday homily.
Look up how Bishop Philip Boyce of Ireland may be put in prison for two years for "hate speech" from his homily.
And check out what Prop 8 Haters did to a Catholic Ice Cream Store owner out in CA when he supported marriage.
What about the militant homosexual group Bash Back that attacked a Michigan church during a Sunday service in 2008?
I think the people of NC don't want to go down that rabbit hole.

It is much more than an amendment.
Andrew
1 year ago
In a secular country founded on the idea of liberty, how can this be a win? Father Mychael Judge taught us that love is love! There is so much hate and bigotry in this world... How can we afford to discriminate against people when they are in love?
Applejacks
1 year ago
Well... I must say this article pleases me and makes me kind of sad at the same time. Marriage in this country, and the rest of the west for that matter, has always been between a man and a woman. I didn't even know there was such a thing as gay marriage until I was about 14 years old. Our society has been defined for a long time by family life, but the homosexual equivalency movement has put this in jeopardy. For that reason, it makes me happy that marriage has been preserved for at least a while longer in this state.

This article makes me sad as well, because I have a lot of sympathy for people with same sex attraction. Part of the reason why is because I myself have to deal with my own sick fantasies that are very unhealthy. I don't choose to have these sick fantasies, but they happen. That is why I have a lot of sympathy for gays, because I too suffer from unnatural sexual attractions. At the same time, I am not going to lie to myself by telling me it's moral and according to my conscience to engage in these pleasures. "Some are eunuchs because they were born that way from their mother's womb, others were made eunuchs by men, and some have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Those who can accept this, let them accept it" (Matthew 19:12). This is a great verse that world needs to see. Jesus identifies that not all of us are born the same way sexually, but he tells us that chastity and celibacy is holier then marriage. This is how I choose to live my life. I love friendship, not sex. Sex is a fleeting pleasure, a special friendship is a bond of love that knows no lust.
Rob
1 year ago
Since this same sex marriage was already illegal in North Carolina, what was the point of the amendment? Stronger law? But regardless, of those registered to vote, only 34.38% of the those registered actually voted. I can't seem to find the percentage of registered voters to the entire North Carolina population who voted. But my point is that I think we better be careful not to pat ourselves on the back too quickly because I find the number of people who don't care either way just as dangerous as those pushing an agenda. With such a small number of people voting, is it fair to say the "people" have spoken? Good policiting and money may be influencing elections more than the truth. We better make sure we understand what these votes mean.
Diane
1 year ago
To Edju- you're speaking lies in order to weaken your opponents who refuse to accept the travesty and immorality you call homosexual "marriage." Nobody is listening any more. We also will vote out your pro homosexual candidate, Obama. We prolife Americans have won BOTH the battle and the war.
Edju
1 year ago
"It's a generational issue. If it passes, I think it will be repealed within 20 years." - North Carolina State House Speaker Thom Tillis, a Republican, on Amendment One. Tillis supported the amendment.

Een southern conservative Republicans recognize the inevitable. It's proof of what I said earlier: The anti-gay forces may have won a battle yesterday, but the war is over, and their side has lost.

Gay marriage is coming - better get used to it, folks. And for heaven's sake please stop whining!
Pete Brady
1 year ago
There is something that is generally passed over in the discussion of where homosexuality fits into modern society. And it is this: it would not be an issue to be raised up for discussion AT ALL if modernity were to NOT give tacit approval to "shacking up, hooking up, living together, trial marriages, et al. The word is "fornication." "Consensual" does not make it any more "okay." The giving and receiving of "sexual pleasure" is irresponsibly entered into. Just look at the number of base shows (including those "reality" ones) that portray indiscriminate sexual promiscuity. These all deny the dignity of the "man" and the "woman." It reduces the dignity of our human nature to little more than that of a rutting pig. "If it feels good, do it" is one of the greatest dumbing-down disservices to man's intellect and human integrity that has ever been conjured up. Modernity needs to come to grips with its ethical and moral root.

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