Posted on January 23rd, 2010 by Anne Underwood
Portland, Maine (Saturday, September 12, 2009)---Catholics for Marriage Equality (C4ME), an organization urging Catholics and all Mainers to vote no on Question 1 on the November 3rd ballot, today issued the following statement in response to the Diocese of Portland’s fundraising for the campaign to repeal Maine’s marriage equality law:
“Catholics for Marriage Equality calls on its members and all Catholics who share our support for marriage equality to take two peaceful but effective actions in our parishes this Sunday so that the diocese will know it is not speaking for all faithful Catholics. First, instead of money, we urge parishioners who support marriage equality to place a note in the special collection envelope stating that they do not support the bishop's stance to deprive same-sex couples of the right to civil marriage and will instead donate funds to NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality (http://www.protectmaineequality.org), which opposes Question 1, or to a charity that is inclusive of all families. Second, we ask supportive Catholics to sign our petition affirming that the Church can define marriage as it wishes for its members but that marriage as a civil right is the prerogative of the state to define. Our petition is available at: url
“C4ME exists to give hope to those who are hurt and angry because of our bishop’s determination to overturn the legislature’s passage of marriage equality. We will disseminate information that is truthful and respectful stating why marriage equality is a matter of civil rights and social justice that Catholics are free to support—indeed, may feel compelled to support as a matter of social conscience and responsible citizenship.”
Contact: Anne Underwood, Catholics for Marriage Equality, (207)650-1588
Catholics for Marriage Equality Announces Over 500 Signatures on its Declaration in Support of Same-Sex Marriage
For Immediate Release October 28, 2009
Contact: Anne Underwood, Catholics for Marriage Equality, (207) 650-1588
Portland- Catholics for Marriage Equality announced today that more than 500 Maine Catholics from Madawaska to Kittery have signed its declaration of support for same-sex marriage.
According to Catholics for Marriage Equality co-founder, Anne Underwood, the signatures were obtained solely by word-of-mouth.
The statement reads in part:
“As faithful Roman Catholics and citizens of the State of Maine, we believe that the right of every citizen to practice freedom of religion is based on the principle of respect for the dignity of each individual. Without that guarantee, the danger of one religious tradition or doctrine dominating another threatens all and protects none.”
“The bishop has exercised his religious freedom and constitutional right to prohibit any communication from or about our group on church property or in church publications," said Underwood. "This has severely limited our ability to fully inform Catholics who want get the facts and to learn more about voting NO on 1."
Catholics for Marriage Equality [C4ME] is comprised of practicing Catholics who support civil marriage for same-sex couples as affirmation of the scriptural and social justice teaching of their church.
“The declaration is our way to assure other Catholics and our gay and lesbian family members and friends that many Catholics believe the God of Love calls them to support families of same-sex couples by permitting civil marriage,” Underwood added.
Catholics supporting No on 1 may sign the declaration at www.religiouscoalition.org
