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05.07.09 Statement from Bishop McCormack
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MAY 7, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATION
603-669-3100, Ext. 185
STATEMENT FROM BISHOP JOHN B. McCORMACK
(MANCHESTER, NH) We believe that we should be doing all we can as a society to support and protect marriage, which is a union of a man and woman and has been throughout history.
We further believe that trying to redefine marriage on the run, with the slimmest of legislative margins and without a robust investigation into all possible conflicts between same sex marriage legislation and religious liberties is contrary to the spirit of New Hampshire. Quite simply, if this legislation is allowed to become law there will be many unintended consequences that will undoubtedly lead to unnecessary confusion, litigation and denial of rights to many people in our state.
When a change of this momentous scope is proposed and there is not adequate time to not only look at all the implications of it, but also not to hear in depth from the people whom it will affect, then there are going to be serious problems. Short of preserving marriage as the union of one man and one woman, there must be adequate protections for churches, but also for individuals who have a genuine conscientious objection to participating in or assisting ceremonies of same sex couples.
We urge Governor Lynch to veto this legislation, if for no other reason than it leaves too many unanswered questions regarding protections for religious organizations and persons of conscience.
MAY 7, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATION
603-669-3100, Ext. 185
STATEMENT FROM BISHOP JOHN B. McCORMACK
(MANCHESTER, NH) We believe that we should be doing all we can as a society to support and protect marriage, which is a union of a man and woman and has been throughout history.
We further believe that trying to redefine marriage on the run, with the slimmest of legislative margins and without a robust investigation into all possible conflicts between same sex marriage legislation and religious liberties is contrary to the spirit of New Hampshire. Quite simply, if this legislation is allowed to become law there will be many unintended consequences that will undoubtedly lead to unnecessary confusion, litigation and denial of rights to many people in our state.
When a change of this momentous scope is proposed and there is not adequate time to not only look at all the implications of it, but also not to hear in depth from the people whom it will affect, then there are going to be serious problems. Short of preserving marriage as the union of one man and one woman, there must be adequate protections for churches, but also for individuals who have a genuine conscientious objection to participating in or assisting ceremonies of same sex couples.
We urge Governor Lynch to veto this legislation, if for no other reason than it leaves too many unanswered questions regarding protections for religious organizations and persons of conscience.