As I understand it, two states have defense of marriage amendments for their state constitutions up for a vote in 2012: North Carolina and Minnesota. As I understand it, the amendment to defend true and natural marriage will not be nearly as much of an issue in N. Carolina as it will be in politically kooky Minnesota, my native place. (By the way, Minnesota isn’t politically kooky because it is my native place… I figured I better say that right here and now.)
What I think is going to happen is that huge money is going to pour into Minnesota from out of every dark hole and crack in order to defeat the amendment in a continuing effort to distort the definition of marriage. The Catholic bishops in Minnesota, with the leadership of Archbishop Nienstedt, have nailed their colors to the mast in promoting passage of this defense of marriage amendment. This is going to be a war.
I suspect that, much as money and activists poured into Wisconsin during the big labor/legislature battle, so too homosexual activists and their money will pour into Minnesota, since it is far more likely they can defeat true marriage there than in N. Carolina. Minnesota will become “ground zero” in this fight during this election cycle.
That’s just my guess.
In any event, we have to give Archbishop Nienstedt and the bishops of Minnesota strong support over the next 12 months.
That is why I was pleased to see this from The Catholic League:
MINNESOTA CATHOLICS PUSH MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
October 26, 2011Catholic League president Bill Donohue stands with Saint Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop John Nienstedt in his support for a state constitutional amendment on marriage:
The reason why Minnesotans will vote next year on the issue of a constitutional amendment affirming marriage, traditionally understood, is due to attempts to reconfigure this ancient social institution. For example, people excluded by nature from procreating are currently demanding the right to marry, winning sympathy in some courts. Catholics are being rallied by Archbishop John Nienstedt to support the marriage amendment partly because some of those on the other side, e.g., “Catholics for Marriage Equality MN,” are falsely promoting themselves as representing an authentic Catholic position.
Critics of the Church’s position on marriage are saying that Archbishop Nienstedt is being “divisive,” and does not represent what Catholics want; others are literally going off the rails.
All bishops are called to lead, not follow. Moreover, the latest survey of Catholics published in the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) [aka Fishwrap] shows more support for Church teachings on same-sex marriage than on the death penalty. The bishops are opposed to both (though proscriptions against the death penalty are not absolute), yet this hasn’t persuaded the gay marriage advocates to demand that the bishops ratify the pro-death penalty sentiments of the rank-and-file. [It seems to me that the death-penalty point, while interesting, is not the real point to worry about. Enemies of marriage will accuse Catholics and others who support natural marriage as being similar to “racists”. They will, ironically, try to reframe the issue as one of civil rights.]
Not surprisingly, NCR recently published a piece by the former head of Catholic Charities in San Francisco calling bishops who uphold the Church’s teachings on marriage “villains”; he accused them of promoting “an atmosphere of ignorance and hate.” If they—and this includes NCR’s editors—really believe this to be true, then it’s time to do the manly thing and get out.
Finally, it is ironic that “Rainbow Sash” says Archbishop Nienstedt is guilty of abusing his authority — its members are known for such fascistic exercises as disrupting Mass at Communion.
Contact our director of communications about Donohue’s remarks:
Jeff Field
Phone: 212-371-3191
E-mail: cl@catholicleague.org
WDTPRS kudos to The Catholic League.
WDTPRS stands with Bp. Nienstedt and the bishops of Minnesota in defense of true, natural marriage.
