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Churches split on gay marriage

Faith groups weigh in on proposed marriage amendment to the state constitution

By NATASHA ALTAMIRANO

Date published: 10/6/2006

By NATASHA ALTAMIRANO FREDTALK: Do you support the marriage amendment?

Before Virginia voters head to the polls next month, many religious leaders are ensuring the faithful are fully informed about Virginia's proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages and civil unions.

Two Roman Catholic bishops co-authored a letter urging Virginia's estimated 600,000 Catholics to support the amendment Nov. 7.

"The purpose is to remind people that marriage has an original design and purpose that is independent of any government," Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde said at a press conference Tuesday.

No religion or government has the authority to alter the basic structure of marriage, the letter states. Church and state should act as stewards "to preserve our Creator's great gift of marriage," it reads.

Although gay marriage is illegal in Virginia, Loverde, whose diocese includes the Fredericksburg area, said it's important to include language in the constitution to prevent judges from interpreting the law.

"Before judges do that, the people of the commonwealth have the right to assert clearly and definitively that the definition of marriage is a union between one man and one woman," he said.

The Rev. Ernest Custalow, senior pastor of the evangelical Grace Church of Fredericksburg, encourages members of the Spotsylvania County congregation to vote in favor of the amendment.

The church has a responsibility to engage the public, Custalow said.

"One of our responsibilities in society as Christians is to get involved in society--to be salt and light as Jesus teaches in his Sermon on the Mount," he said in a telephone interview this week. "Part of that is letting our voice be heard. It's pretty clear that the Bible teaches that marriage should be between one woman and one man."

Other faith groups are strongly opposed to the amendment, such as the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, the public-policy arm of the region's Jewish community.

The amendment discriminates against homosexuals and denies same-sex couples economic and legal benefits, JCRC Program Director Debra Linick said.

The JCRC's position also states that the amendment threatens the separation of church and state.

"It's the religious community that sanctifies a marriage and declares whether it's holy and acceptable according to their faith," Linick said.

Fredericksburg's Metropolitan Community Church, a Christian congregation that focuses on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community, opposes the amendment on the same grounds.

Ballot question: Proposed constitutional amendment Shall Article I (the Bill of Rights) of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to state: "That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage."? What religious leaders are saying "Upholding the marital union of man and woman as a public institution, in a way that clearly distinguishes it from any other relationship, is necessary for the common good." --A joint-letter from Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde and Richmond Bishop Francis DiLorenzo "When God created the earth he created a family: a husband and a wife. Family is the cornerstone of society--as the family goes, so goes society." --The Rev. Ernest Custalow, senior pastor, Grace Church of Fredericksburg "The idea that an individual can directly interpret the word of God and place that in our constitution would be of grave concern to us. It underscores that we shouldn't be taking policy positions that are based on a singular religious interpretation of God's blessings." --Debra Linick, program director, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington "This does not impact the religious rights and sacraments of churches. It does impact civil liberties." --The Rev. Stephanie Burns, pastor, Metropolitan Community Church in Fredericksburg "There have been private conversations, but no official conversation or action that we're planning to take. It is a divisive issue." --The Rev. Richard Carbaugh, pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg

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Date published: 10/6/2006