The Amendment would server to protect MN from any radical attempt to redefine marriage through the legal system which has already been attempted in other states like California.
This would add MN to the 31 other states that have already created a similar Amendment to protect marriage for millions of families across the nation.
The House bill, introduced by Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud), was approved by the Civil Law Committee by a 10-7 vote. A companion bill in the Senate (SF 1308), authored by Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove), was passed April 29 in the Senate Judiciary Committee
Accounting to the St Cloud Visitor, two Minnesota Catholic bishops were among those who testified in the state House and Senate committee hearings in favor of the bills that would put this Amendment on the 2012 ballot.
“Defining marriage as simply a union of consenting parties will change the core meaning of marriage for every Minnesotan,” Bishop Quinn told lawmakers.
The definition of marriage is essential to every society because it is the framework for the family that gives children the right to a healthy environment that includes both parents, which is worth protecting for the sake of the next generation.
Bishop Quinn argued that this gives us a clear definition of marriage so that it cannot be altered with time, which could have devastating consequences if the institution of the family were to dissolve – as it has begun to in other nations like the UK who have gone down this path.
Without this amendment, “This could open the door to an ongoing process that redefines marriage according to the social needs of groups advocating change that, in time, could result in no fixed definition of marriage,” he added.
Doesn’t This Amendment Discriminate Against Same-Sex Relationships?
No. There is no need to redefine marriage to include other relationships, based solely on love or/and commitment. To do so would destroy the original purpose of marriage and open the door to further redefining marriage until its value would no longer have any significance.
No. There is no need to redefine marriage to provide legal benefits to other relationships, because there are already multiple ways to provide benefits such as joint property ownership or designating a beneficiary to someone’s will or the creation of legal documents to make health care decisions.
For further reading, see: http://foryourmarriage.org/catholic-marriage/church-teachings/between-man-and-woman/
During the testimony, Bishop Sirba of Duluth said “the committed relationship between one man and one woman calls forth the best of the spouses, not only for their own sake, but also for the well-being of their children and for the advancement of the common good.”
The Catholic Church apposes discrimination against any person based on same-sex attractions, in which Bishop Sirba said this, “persons with same-sex attractions are our sisters and brothers, and should not be deprived of their authentic human rights, including the most fundamental rights of all — the right to life and the right to love.” he added, “meeting authentic human needs does not require changing society’s definition of marriage.”
In other words, we don't need to redefine marriage in order to respect people that have same-sex attractions.
MN Catholic Bishops Statement on Marriage
A few months ago the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota posted this statement on Marriage to help clarify the stated position of the Catholic Church and the importance for all Catholics to support the institution of marriage.
"We, the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota, believe it is critical in our time to speak in support of marriage as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman in an enduring bond of love. God’s word in divine revelation declares that marriage is a union ordered to both the mutual good of the spouses and to the procreation and raising of children. As a sacred institution, marriage is a constant reminder of God’s love for the human race, as well as a reflection of the permanent, faithful, and fruitful bond of love between Christ and the Church. (See Genesis 1:27, 2:22-24; Ephesians 5:31-32.)
Our own State’s constant recognition of marriage is based on the evident fact that only the sexual union of a man and a woman has the natural capability to bring forth new life with the bearing of children. Both faith and reason agree, then, that marriage is an institution central to the life of human society, and touches profoundly on the common good. This committed relationship between one man and one woman calls forth the best of the spouses, not only for their own sake, but also for the well-being of their children and the community. It is neither possible for us to change the definition of marriage nor wise to attempt to do so.
We urge our State government, our fellow Catholics, and all people of good will in the State of Minnesota to support marriage, both in theory and in practical measures that safeguard, promote, and enhance marriage and family. One practical measure would be a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. "
If this Amendment gets on the 2012 ballot, it will become one of the most important votes in MN history as we vote to protect the institution of marriage from any future radical social agenda that would threaten the healthy family environment that is vital to the success of our children and grandchildren, for generations to come.