Thursday, 4:30 PM
Catholic bishops push for gay marriage vote
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent
The state's four Roman Catholic bishops mailed a joint statement today to each of Massachusetts' 196 legislators urging them to allow a vote on a ballot initiative that would ban gay marriage.
The single-page letter implored lawmakers on behalf of the state's 3 million Catholics to allow the measure to come to a vote on Jan. 2, the last day of the legislative session.
"Preventing a vote on January 2nd would deny a significant number of our residents from having their voice heard on this issue," the letter reads. "The guarantee that gives citizens the right to seek voter approval for constitutional changes would become an empty promise."
The bishops, including Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, sent the letter by e-mail today and also mailed copies though the US Postal Service, according to Edward F. Saunders, the executive director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, a public policy office for the church.
Backers of a constitutional amendment had collected 170,000 signatures to get the measure on the ballot in 2008. To qualify for a statewide referendum, however, a measure needs the support of at least 50 legislators in two consecutive sessions. Instead of acting on the measure, the Legislature moved to recess until Jan. 2, the last day of the session.
The four bishops issued similar statements in October and July. The Catholic leaders have also issued joint statements opposing the death penalty, the expansion of gambling, the impact of budget cuts on the poor and disadvantaged, and more.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Judicial Court heard oral arguments in a lawsuit spearheaded by Governor Mitt Romney that is trying to pressure legislators into holding a vote Jan. 2. A decision could come at any time.
