Two Roman Catholic bishops
are calling on Catholics to support a proposed constitutional
amendment which would define marriage as a heterosexual union in
North Carolina, ThinkProgress.org
reported.
Bishops Peter Jugis of the Diocese of
Charlotte and Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh have each
recorded videos in support of the amendment.
The videos were posted at the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishop's (USCCB) Marriage
Unique for a Reason website. The USCCB is headed by Cardinal
Timothy Dolan of New York, an ardent opponent of marriage equality.
(Related: Cardinal
Timothy Dolan: New York GOP leaders “burned” us on gay marriage.)
“Same-sex unions are unable to
realize the unique and full potential that a traditional marriage
relationship expresses,” Jugis said in his video. “The Church’s
position on traditional marriage is not an instance of discrimination
or animosity towards homosexual persons. Marriage is based on natural
law, a law that can never be changed; therefore, there will be
boundaries that cannot be modified. At the same time, in light of our
belief in the inherent dignity of every person without exception,
individuals and society must respect those with a homosexual
orientation.”
“Catholics believe that the Church
has the authority, the obligation, the Gospel mandate, to affirm
these authentic teachings and to preserve and foster the supremely
sacred value of marriage in our society,” Burbidge said in his
nearly 4-minute video. “Our beliefs are principled ones, divinely
revealed, and to be regarded seriously in any consideration of
marriage and family life.” (The video is embedded in the right
panel of this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
In their presentations, both bishops
suggest that gay nuptials threaten the survival of the human race.
(Related: Ted
Olson to rally against North Carolina gay marriage ban.)