| Fundamentals |
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| Saturday, 25 October 2008 15:30 | |||
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Constitutional Convention As should be very clear by now, the Connecticut Catholic Conference, representing the Archdiocese of Hartford, the Diocese of Bridgeport, the Diocese of Norwich, and the Ukrainian Diocese of Stamford, is strongly urging a yes vote on Question One on the ballot this Election Day, Nov. 4. This would allow for a constitutional convention to be convoked to make changes to our state Constitution and allow for the right of initiative and referendum. It will pave the way for the citizens of Connecticut to vote on proposals that directly impact our everyday life in the state.
It is the more democratic way. It will allow the voice of the people to be heard above partisan politics and special interests. It will advance the movement toward greater government accountability and increased voter rights. I strongly urge you to vote yes on Question One.
Same-sex marriage On Oct. 10, the Connecticut Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, imposed the recognition of same-sex marriage upon the people of Connecticut (Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health). Four judges have chosen to redefine the institution of marriage. They have made a determination on an issue that other courts throughout our nation have felt is a matter for debate in the legislative process.
Our elected officials have recognized that the people of Connecticut did not want the institution of marriage redefined in our state. This position is also reflected in federal law, which defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. It may be helpful to remind ourselves of our basic beliefs on marriage. Marriage, as instituted by God, is a faithful, exclusive, lifelong union of a man and a woman joined in an intimate communion of life and love. They commit themselves completely to each other and to the wondrous responsibility of bringing children into the world and caring for them. The call to marriage is woven deeply into the human spirit. Man and woman are equal. They are, however, as created, different from but made for each other. These truths about marriage are recognized by the light of human reason as the order of nature. They are confirmed by Divine Revelation in Sacred Scripture. Marriage is both a natural institution and a sacred union because it is rooted in the divine plan for creation. The natural structure of human sexuality makes man and woman complementary partners for the transmission of human life. Only a union of male and female can express the sexual complementarity willed by God for marriage. The permanent and exclusive commitment of marriage is the necessary context for the expression of sexual love intended by God both to serve the transmission of human life and to build on the bond between husband and wife. This unique complementarity makes possible the conjugal bond that is the core of marriage. Thanksgiving November ushers in the traditionally warm celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Every day, I express my gratitude to Almighty God for your outstanding generosity expressed in so many ways, particularly in the Archbishops Annual Appeal. Currently, the total is $9,313,237. Last year at this time, the total was $9,511,867, but that number included an extraordinary bequest to the Appeal in the amount of $247,640. The regular giving to the Appeal this year is actually quite close to last years total at this time. Given the economic climate this year, your contributions to the Appeal are more than impressive, and I am profoundly grateful. May you have a most blessed Thanksgiving, enriched by the awareness of how many blessings you are bringing to tens of thousands of people in need. Special note
On Oct. 9, the Hartford Courant reported on an interview with Dr. Pamela Trotman Reid, President of St. Joseph College. The quotes attributed to Dr. Reid suggested some ambiguity in her support for the Church teaching on abortion. I wrote to Dr. Reid that day, asking for clarification. Correspondence and conversations followed. I am pleased to report that in her most recent letter to me, Dr. Reid stated: I am committed to upholding the Catholic teaching and values that are the foundation of a Mercy college.
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