CALIFORNIA: Episcopal Lesbian Priest in Desperate Plea to Deep Six Proposition 8
News Analysis
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
10/10/2008
"Only the rock of complete and irrevocable love between man and woman is capable of acting as a foundation for a society that can be home to all human beings."-Pope Benedict XVI, addressing the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family, May 11, 2006
In a desperate bid to deep six Proposition 8 - a proposition upholding traditional monogamous marriage between a man and a woman, a lesbian priest from All Saints', Pasadena, and leader of the Episcopal organization known as Integrity, has written a frantic letter to Californians urging them to vote 'no' when it comes time to vote on the issue.
In a flier on disinformation on Proposition 8, the Rev. Susan Russell and her followers are in a deep sweat regarding the proposition because new polls are trending in favor of traditional marriage.
The irony is that substantial numbers of black voters turning out for Obama will vote Yes on 8. Homosexuality goes against the grain for the vast majority of black church folks.
"Don't just watch the polls go the wrong way and sit home and yell at your television set! Come join us at All Saints Pasadena and Phone Bank to Defeat Proposition 8! (And with the negative, misleading ads coming out of the YES on 8 camp, we need you more than ever!)," screamed Russell.
"Between now and the election, All Saints is providing space every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., for the purpose of contacting undecided voters and encouraging them to vote NO on proposition 8.
"Training is provided by 'No on 8 trainers' in the Acolyte room, with phoning in the Office of Creative Connections trailer. You can just show up (with your fully-charged cell phone in the event there aren't enough phones) and bring a friend!"
Integrity President Russell applauded a Connecticut Supreme Court Decision ruling in favor of marriage equality. "Today's decision is a decision in favor of marriage and against bigotry," said Russell.
"It is another step forward toward making this a nation of liberty and justice for all -- not just some -- and it is a cause for celebration for all Americans. It is also a source of great encouragement for those of us working to preserve marriage for all in California."
"Integrity is committed to continue to work toward full inclusion for the LGBT faithful in the Episcopal Church and to advocate for equal protection for LGBT Americans -- and we give thanks for those who made today's Connecticut Supreme Court decision possible," she said. With the one exception - the Diocese of San Joaquin - all the other Episcopal California bishops are in favor of voting No on Proposition 8.
A new poll shows Proposition 8 is gaining among younger voters. A CBS 5 (San Francisco) poll released last week indicates that support for Proposition 8 is growing amongst younger voters. Among likely voters, the marriage amendment now leads 47-42%. Voters 18-34 support the measure 53-39%.
"This issue isn't about bigotry or ignorance," explained Karen England, campaign director for Yes on Proposition 8. "Young people have grown up in a culture that increasingly devalues the importance of a two-parent home. These young voters crave a society that encourages solid marriages with a mother and father raising their children. The new polling shows that when given a choice, young people will always choose a home with both their mother and father."
The Roman Catholic Church has mounted a vigorous campaign to restore the definition of marriage with a Constitutional Amendment.
California Catholic bishops wrote this: "The issue before us with Proposition 8 is "marriage"-an ancient, yet modern, human institution which pre-exists both Church and government. Marriage, history shows us, is intrinsic to stable, flourishing and hospitable societies. Although cultural differences have occurred, what has never changed is that marriage is the ideal relationship between a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation and the continuation of the human race.
"On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that the current law defining marriage as between a man and a woman is unconstitutional. This radical change in public policy will have many profound effects on our society, because it
* Discounts the biological and organic reality of marriage-and how deeply embedded it is in our culture, our language and our laws and ignores the common understanding of the word marriage; and because it
* Diminishes the word "marriage" to mean only a "partnership"-a purely adult contractual arrangement for individuals over the age of 18. Children-if there are any-are no longer a primary societal rationale for the institution.
"We, as bishops, offer counsel to our Catholic people in California in their response to this radical change in California's public policy regarding marriage.
"First, same-sex unions are not the same as opposite-sex unions. The marriage of a man and a woman embraces not only their sexual complementarity as designed by nature but includes their ability to procreate. The ideal for the well being of children is to be born into a traditional marriage and to be raised by both a mother and a father. We recognize that there are parents who are single and we laud them for the great sacrifices they make in raising their children.
"Second, we need to recall that marriage mirrors God's relationship with us-and that marriage completes, enriches and perpetuates humanity. When men and women consummate their marriage they offer themselves to God as co-creators of a new human being. Any other pairing-while possibly offering security and companionship to the individuals involved-is not marriage. We must support traditional marriage as the source of our civilization, the foundation for a society that can be home to all human beings, and the reflection of our relationship with God.
"Third, we need to remember that we are all children of God possessed of human dignity and that each of us is created in God's image. Protecting the traditional understanding of marriage should not in any way disparage our brothers and sisters-even if they disagree with us.
"Fourth, we must pray and work for a just resolution of this issue which is so important to the well being of the human family.
"Fifth, as citizens of California, we need to avail ourselves of the opportunity to overturn this ruling by the California Supreme Court. On the November general election ballot, there will be Proposition 8 which reads: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." That language simply affirms the historic, logical and reasonable definition of marriage-and does not remove any benefits from other contractual arrangements.
"And finally, we strongly encourage Catholics to provide both the financial support and the volunteer efforts needed for the passage of Proposition 8. And-please exercise your citizenship and vote in November."
As one VOL reader in California noted, "The Connecticut decision will be fodder for the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign, illustrating an out-of-control judiciary imposing legal sanction on immoral behavior. The voters of California will have one, and one opportunity only, to stem the tide of judicial tyranny. Should California succumb and vote down Prop 8, the floodgates will open for same-sex couples to 'marry' in California and return to their states of domicile and challenge both state statutes and constitutional amendments defining marriage. It would be then all over for traditional marriage and the people will have no further say in defining it."
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