RE: Response to U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Marriage

From Bishop Amos, Bishop of Davenport:

The Diocese of Davenport is deeply disappointed in the ruling today by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding two cases relating to marriage.  The Diocese joined the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and other organizations and individuals in urging the Court to uphold both the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8.

The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) denies federal benefits to same-sex couples who are legally married in the states where they reside.  California's Proposition 8 recognized marriage only between a man and a woman in California.  Lower courts had struck down both of these laws.

The Court found DOMA unconstitutional.  Regarding Proposition 8, the Court dismissed the case and said the private petitioners could not bring the case to court.  Since the state of California had declined to defend it, the ruling striking down Proposition 8 is still in force.  The Court did not find a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. 

Marriage is and can only be the union of one man and one woman.  It is the only institution that unites a man and a woman with each other and with any child who comes from their union.

Every child has a mother and a father.  Only a man can be a father; only a woman can be a mother.  Parenting is gender-specific, not gender-neutral.  Every child has a basic right to a mother and a father who are united in marriage.  While circumstances may prevent a child from being raised by his or her own mother and father, marriage provides for the needs of a child in ordinary circumstances.

The Diocese of Davenport will continue to defend and to promote marriage as a sacred institution between a man and a woman.

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