Catholic Transcript Online

HARTFORD – Supporters of a "yes" vote on a Nov. 4 ballot initiative that could lead to a restoration of traditional marriage face an uphill battle from heavily funded opponents, a spokesman for the bishops said.

"The Connecticut Catholic Conference is supportive of a ‘yes’ vote on November fourth and, hopefully, we will be supporting a right of initiative in any constitutional convention," said Michael C. Culhane, CCC’s executive director.

He said that before CCC got involved in pushing for a "yes" vote to call for a state constitutional convention, several small groups wanted it for many other reasons.

"We had a number of organizations, starting with a taxpayers group and a group involved in eminent domain reform," Mr. Culhane said.

He said large groups in favor of a "no" vote are calling "yes"-vote supporters "special interest groups."

"The exact opposite is true," he said. "These heavy-duty groups are controlling the agenda. They are the biggest interest groups at the Capitol."

How big? As of Sept. 30, the three biggest contributors to the "no"-vote campaign gave $745,000, Mr. Culhane said. They are the National Education Association (NEA), $325,000; the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), $315,000; and American Federation of Teachers (AFT), $105,000.

Smaller contributions came from Love Makes a Family; Planned Parenthood of Connecticut; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); NARAL Pro-Choice CT; American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut; Connecticut National Organization for Women; Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders; Queers Without Borders; Coalition for Reproductive Choice of Connecticut; Liberals Like Christ; Connecticut Transadvocacy Coalition; Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents; and Trial Lawyers Association.

The total amount collected to finance a campaign for a "no" vote was over $830,000 as of Sept. 30, Mr. Culhane said.

The Connecticut Constitutional Convention Coalition, which is leading the fight for a "yes" vote, has collected about $12,000, Mr. Culhane said.

The Connecticut Catholic Conference also is supporting a "yes" vote with radio and television spots that began airing on Oct. 23.

It also mailed every parish pastor and administrator a flier with an insert for parish bulletins that says the bishops are "strongly encouraging" all Catholics to vote "yes."

"Our goal is to have a constitutional convention convened to change our state Constitution and to allow for the right of initiative and referendum," the insert says. "This will allow the citizens of Connecticut to vote on proposals that will improve their lives. And it will allow the voice of the people to be heard above partisan politics and special interests."

In the mailing, the bishops asked all pastors to "speak from the pulpit on this topic," alerting their congregations to the insert in the bulletin, Oct. 25 and 26 or Nov. 1 and 2.

"We’re supporting the same objective [as the Connecticut Constitutional Convention Coalition]," Mr. Culhane said; "but … we’re reaching out to the Catholic population."

"Our opponents are saying that big, bad special interest groups are in favor of the ‘yes’ vote," Mr. Culhane said. "The ‘no’-vote groups are themselves the biggest interest groups."