New Jersey Catholics rally in defense of marriage
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
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Catholics from around the state representing a wide spectrum of ages, ethnicities and backgrounds gathered in Trenton for the rally, which was organized by the New Jersey Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Knights of Columbus and the New Jersey Family Policy Council, among other organizations. The event was the latest effort in an ongoing initiative to protect and preserve the definition of marriage in New Jersey as being a union of one man and one woman.
Among those addressing the crowd during the rally was Bishop John M. Smith, who spoke of the importance of marriage as an institution in both the Church and society.
“Marriage has always been a union between a man and a woman, and that is the way God intended it,” Bishop Smith said. “That is the way people of every civilization have always understood marriage… and we want that to continue in our own country.”
The bishop called upon the faithful of New Jersey to “storm heaven with prayer” that the legislature will make a wise decision when considering the question of same-sex marriage. But Bishop Smith also reminded those gathered that their voice needs to be heard by their representatives in government.
“It is very important that we get in personal contact with our state legislators and let them know what the will of the people in New Jersey really is on this issue,” Bishop Smith said.
“There is so much emphasis and so much lobbying going on for the other side that we have to assert ourselves as citizens as of the state of New Jersey,” he said. “Talk to your neighbors, talk to your friends and let the legislators know where we are on this very important issue.”
While there is concern that there may be enough support in the state assembly to pass the same-sex marriage proposition, some elected officials have taken a stand against changing the definition of marriage. Assemblyman Michael Doherty, a Catholic, told those at the rally that he is one of several legislators campaigning to have the decision put in the hands of the public.
“When it comes to voting on this very important issue, why is that 30 other states get to vote on marriage but here in New Jersey the folks inside this building are trying to take away that right from you?” Doherty asked.
“There’s a lot of us out there that believe in traditional marriage… and we want to let the voters decide.”
Other speakers at the rally who discussed the importance of defending marriage included Damon Owens, New Jersey state representative for the National Organization of Marriage, and Fox News analyst Father Jonathan Morris.
The rally comes on the heels of a statewide petition drive, organized by local Knights of Columbus councils, that resulted in thousands of Catholics signing their names in opposition of a change to the definition of marriage. More than 30,000 signatures were collected in the Trenton Diocese and petitions are now being delivered to legislative offices throughout the region.
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Catholics from around the state representing a wide spectrum of ages, ethnicities and backgrounds gathered in Trenton for the rally, which was organized by the New Jersey Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Knights of Columbus and the New Jersey Family Policy Council, among other organizations. The event was the latest effort in an ongoing initiative to protect and preserve the definition of marriage in New Jersey as being a union of one man and one woman.
Among those addressing the crowd during the rally was Bishop John M. Smith, who spoke of the importance of marriage as an institution in both the Church and society.
“Marriage has always been a union between a man and a woman, and that is the way God intended it,” Bishop Smith said. “That is the way people of every civilization have always understood marriage… and we want that to continue in our own country.”
The bishop called upon the faithful of New Jersey to “storm heaven with prayer” that the legislature will make a wise decision when considering the question of same-sex marriage. But Bishop Smith also reminded those gathered that their voice needs to be heard by their representatives in government.
“It is very important that we get in personal contact with our state legislators and let them know what the will of the people in New Jersey really is on this issue,” Bishop Smith said.
“There is so much emphasis and so much lobbying going on for the other side that we have to assert ourselves as citizens as of the state of New Jersey,” he said. “Talk to your neighbors, talk to your friends and let the legislators know where we are on this very important issue.”
While there is concern that there may be enough support in the state assembly to pass the same-sex marriage proposition, some elected officials have taken a stand against changing the definition of marriage. Assemblyman Michael Doherty, a Catholic, told those at the rally that he is one of several legislators campaigning to have the decision put in the hands of the public.
“When it comes to voting on this very important issue, why is that 30 other states get to vote on marriage but here in New Jersey the folks inside this building are trying to take away that right from you?” Doherty asked.
“There’s a lot of us out there that believe in traditional marriage… and we want to let the voters decide.”
Other speakers at the rally who discussed the importance of defending marriage included Damon Owens, New Jersey state representative for the National Organization of Marriage, and Fox News analyst Father Jonathan Morris.
The rally comes on the heels of a statewide petition drive, organized by local Knights of Columbus councils, that resulted in thousands of Catholics signing their names in opposition of a change to the definition of marriage. More than 30,000 signatures were collected in the Trenton Diocese and petitions are now being delivered to legislative offices throughout the region.
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