In
a scathing op-ed published on Tuesday, New York Archbishop
Timothy Dolan warns lawmakers against legalizing gay marriage,
likening its legalization to a communist edict.
On Tuesday, after Governor Andrew Cuomo
formally introduced the measure, five undecided senators, two
Republicans and three Democrats, who
had voted against a similar bill in 2009 reversed course, and said
they would vote for marriage equality. With a vote expected to
take place as early as Thursday, proponents have managed to close a
wide gap in a very short period of time, but remain 1 vote shy of
victory.
Dolan reacted to the quick developments
in a blog post, simultaneously pleading with lawmakers to reconsider
and suggesting that the state does not have the power to alter the
definition of marriage.
“Last time I consulted an atlas, it
is clear we are living in New York, in the United States of America –
not in [communist] China or North Korea,” Dolan wrote. “In those
countries, government presumes daily to 'redefine' rights,
relationships, values, and natural law.”
“Our country's principles speak of
rights given by God, not invented by government, and certain noble
values – life, home, family, marriage, children, faith – that are
protected, not re-defined, by a state omnipotence.”
“Please, not here! We cherish true
freedom, not as the license to do whatever we want, but the liberty
to do what we ought; we acknowledge that not every desire, urge, want
or chic cause is automatically a 'right.' And, what about other
rights, like that of a child to be raised with a mom and a dad?”
“Please don't vote to change that.
If you do, you are claiming the power to change what is not
into what is, simply because you say no. This is false, it is
wrong, and it defies logic and common sense.”
“I … believe God, not Albany, has
settled the definition of marriage a long time ago,” he added.