NM: Bishops Get Requested Domestic Partnership Bill Changes, Then Stab Bill Supporters in the Back

The battle in the Legislature over a bill to establish domestic-partner rights pits social advocates and lobbyists who normally are allied on a variety of issues against each other. Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, introduced Senate Bill 183 on Tuesday. As has been the case with previous domestic-partnership bills, it is backed by Gov. Bill Richardson.

Also working for the bill are various left-leaning activists, civic organizations and churches. But opposing it are New Mexico's Roman Catholic bishops, who have stood alongside many of the domestic-partnership proponents in past Legislative fights to end the death penalty and cockfighting, increase minimum wage and to preserve funding for poverty programs.

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The chief objection the bishops had to the previous bill was that it referred to that marriage law. In February, Sanchez told a reporter, “If they just spelled out all the rights you'd get under a domestic partnership and not refer to the marriage law, the bishops probably would drop their opposition.”

Full Story from the Rio Rancho Observer
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Mexico.
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NM: Domestic Partnership Bill Update

The battle in the Legislature over a bill to establish domestic-partner rights pits social advocates and lobbyists who normally are allied on a variety of issues against each other. Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, introduced Senate Bill 183 on Tuesday. As has been the case with previous domestic-partnership bills, it is backed by Gov. Bill Richardson.

Also working for the bill various left-leaning activists, civic organizations and churches. But opposing it are New Mexico's Roman Catholic bishops, who have stood alongside many of the domestic-partnership proponents in past Legislative fights to end the death penalty and cockfighting, increase minimum wage and to preserve funding for poverty programs.

The church's opposition last year — after years of staying neutral on the issue — was credited by many on both sides for defeating a domestic-partnership last year by a decisive vote in the Senate.

Full Story from CNJ Online
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Mexico.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Portugal: Catholic Bishops Slam Gay Marriage Bill

Portuguese legislation that would allow gay couples to marry is still far from becoming the law of the land, said a spokesman for the Portuguese bishops' conference. The legislation "still has to be signed by the president, and also there is a question about it being unconstitutional," the spokesman, Father Manuel Morujao, told CNS in a telephone interview in mid-January. Whether Portugal's constitution allows a change in the definition of marriage is the current debate that President Anibal Cavaco Silva has been avoiding, said Father Morujao. Silva was quoted in the Portuguese press saying that he was unable to "say even one word" about the issue, pointing out that constitutional law is not the president's competency. Father Morujao said the nation's bishops had urged a referendum on gay marriage, and he said the issue has the potential to fracture Portuguese society. Full Story from the Boston Pilot

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Brazil: Catholic Bishops Attack President's Human Rights Initiative

The Brazilian Confederation of Bishops, CNBB, openly criticized the de-criminalization of abortion, same sex civil marriage and the right for gay couples to adopt, all initiatives proposed by President Lula da Silva’s human rights initiative sent to Congressional consideration last December 21st. CNBB also criticized the proposal to eliminate all religious symbols from all public places, “an intolerant attitude” which pretends to ignore the long rooted historic traditions of Brazil, said the release announced Saturday and commented Sunday in all of the country’s Catholic churches. The Catholic Church hierarchy describes the proposals as “elements of dissent” and said “time and dialogue” were needed to discuss them and thus build “participative democracy”, one of the terms used in the Human Rights Program. Full Story from Merco Press

Click here for gay marriage resources in Brazil.

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NJ: Catholic Bishops Praying Against Proposed Gay Marriage Law

Roman Catholics throughout New Jersey are being asked to pray that state lawmakers don't allow same-sex marriage. It's part of a continuing campaign by church leaders, who anticipate a possible legislative vote before Republican Gov.-elect Chris Christie takes office Jan. 19. The prayer suggestion is contained in a letter that bishops told priests to read or distribute this weekend. It restates Catholic teaching that marriage should only be allowed between a man and a woman and says prayer is timely "because marriage faces challenges from a society more focused on individual satisfaction than on the Gospel." Full Story from Philly.com: http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20091128_ap_njcatholicbishopscampaignagainstgaymarriage.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.

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