Catholic leaders in Colorado are
rallying against a proposed bill that would recognize gay and lesbian
couples with civil unions.
According to the Denver
Post, the Colorado Catholic Conference on Sunday handed out
fliers calling on parishioners to oppose the bill.
The flier includes a photograph of a
heterosexual couple at the altar on one side and a form to be sent to
lawmakers on the other.
“I am writing to express my
opposition to any civil union legislation,” the form states. “The
key flaw with civil union legislation is that it creates an
alternative parallel structure to marriage.”
“I believe that traditional marriage
is the cornerstone of our society that exists for the benefit of
children and the protection of women.”
Last week, Democratic Senator Pat
Steadman reintroduced the civil unions bill (Senate Bill 2) that died
last year in a Republican-controlled House committee after the Senate
approved the measure. Supporters in the House are looking for a
Republican co-sponsor before introducing the bill there.
A 2006 voter-approved constitutional
amendment that defines marriage as a heterosexual union bars
lawmakers from pursuing gay marriage.
The Post noted that it was
unclear how many parishes handed out the fliers.
(Related: Bishop
James Conley calls Colorado civil unions bill “dangerous.”)