Religious Coalition Catholic Declaration in Support of Marriage

Please review the Declaration of Catholic Support for the Freedom of Same Sex Couples to Marry and sign below. 
We appreciate your support.

As faithful Roman Catholics and citizens of the State of Maine, we believe that the right of every citizen to practice freedom of religion is based on the principle of respect for the dignity of each individual. Without that guarantee, the danger of one religious tradition or doctrine dominating another threatens all and protects none. Making the equality of citizens not only an ideal but a living truth, we affirm the May 6, 2009 act of the Maine Legislature to end marriage discrimination by granting civil marriage for same-sex couples. Our declaration of conscience is based on the following: The American principle of the separation of Church and State was enshrined in the Constitution to ensure that no particular religious perspective would be imposed on our pluralistic society. Catholic teaching on social justice has been central to the building of a just society, creating awareness of diversity in the human family, calling us to lives of respect for one another, and not only tolerance. We remember that Roman Catholics were once denied civil rights, treated with suspicion, ridiculed because of our sacred rituals, and questioned as to our allegiance to “foreign authorities.” Memory challenges us to remain vigilant whenever bigotry and injustice enters into public discourse. Same-sex civil marriage does not in any way coerce any religious faith or tradition to change its beliefs or doctrine or alter its traditional marriage practices. We know that God is a most gracious and wonderful Creator. Many of us have gay and lesbian relatives and friends. We value the love and commitment we witness in their relationships; their devotion to each other and their children. Civil marriage bestows the dignity and equality called for in our nation’s highest ideals, “the inherent natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” As Roman Catholics, we differentiate between sacramental marriage and civil marriage. Therefore, we perceive that same-sex civil marriage poses no threat to our Church. While we respect the authority and integrity of the Church in matters of faith, our prayers and discernment have brought us to a new openness on this issue. We do not ask the Church to perform same-sex marriages. We do implore the Church to honor the State’s prerogative to authorize civil marriages for our gay and lesbian family and friends. Grateful for the gift of our faith and the ways that we have been nourished by faith throughout our lives, and also grateful for our citizenship in America and in this State, we sign this statement as Roman Catholic citizens of Maine.

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Display in list as "Anonymous"

0-25 of 569 signatures

Number	Date	Name	Location
569	September 21, 2012	Megan Eicher	St. Paul, MN
568	November 03, 2010	Danielle Somma	Gray, ME
567	February 18, 2010		,
566	November 11, 2009	Lizy Brautigam	Williston Park, NY
565	November 10, 2009	Francine Melancon	Lyman, ME
564	November 02, 2009	tom rogers	Green Valley, AZ
563	November 01, 2009	Frank L. Cocozzelli	Staten Island, NY
562	November 01, 2009	Lewis Snow	Cumberland, ME
561	October 31, 2009	Gertrude* Timberlake	Lewiston, ME
560	October 31, 2009	Paule French	Portland , ME
559	October 30, 2009	Tom Kirkman	San Diego, CA
558	October 29, 2009	Thomas Foley	New York, NY
557	October 29, 2009	Anonymous	San Antonio, TX
556	October 29, 2009	teresa avila	Peru, ME
555	October 29, 2009	Imelda Maurer	San Francisco, CA
554	October 29, 2009	Jane Sama	Bonita Springs, FL
553	October 28, 2009	Anne Olivo	Brunswick, ME
552	October 28, 2009	Ginny Garneau	Cumberland Center, ME
551	October 28, 2009	Angel Dionne	Madawaska, ME
550	October 28, 2009	Angela O'Neil	Portland, ME
549	October 28, 2009	H. Timothy O'Neil	Portland, ME
548	October 28, 2009	Rachel Olivia Schmidt	Portland, ME
547	October 28, 2009	Patrick Fitzpatrick	Portland, ME
546	October 28, 2009	Mary Fitzpatrick	Portland, ME
545	October 28, 2009	Dallas Denery II	Bath, ME

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