Phoenix diocese donates to anti-gay marriage effort, draws criticism

By Lorri Allen, Cronkite News - October 23, 2012

PHOENIX -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix donated $1,000 to a group leading efforts to pass a ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota.

The contribution to the Minnesota Catholic Conference Marriage Defense Fund drew criticism from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a national group devoted to achieving equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

The HRC recorded about $30,000 from dioceses beyond Minnesota to the effort, along with $150,000 from dioceses within that state. [Read Full Story]

Catholic Church donating unprecedented funds to stop gay marriage

By Carrie Mihalcik, Current.com - October 19, 2012

What ever happened to love thy neighbor?

The Catholic Church is pouring unprecedented funds into campaigns fighting marriage equality in the four states where the issue is on the ballot — Minnesota, Maryland, Maine and Washington.

Both the Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization within the church, have spent at least $1.1 million fighting marriage equality in these states, according to a new report from the Human Rights Campaign. Public filings show that dioceses from across the country are sending money to anti-equality organizations in the states. [Read Full Story]

LGBTQ student groups at Catholic colleges form pro-equality association

By Thomas A. Lloyd, The Washington Post - October 11, 2012

The leaders of several lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) student groups based on Catholic college campuses sent a joint letter to the Catholic world announcing the founding of CASE, the Catholic Association of Students for Equality. CASE is a national network for all of our groups to share resources and to trade experiences.

CASE’s central goal, however, is to raise awareness of the positive impact that recognition and empowerment of the LGBT community has had on our campuses. Our experiences reveal a pro-LGBT rights position grounded in Catholic values. In other words, we hope to “out” a uniquely Catholic argument for LGBT inclusion. [Read Full Story]

Former Catholic priests announce support for same-sex marriage

By Lornet Turnbull, The Seattle Times - October 11, 2012

A group of 63 former Roman Catholic priests spoke out Thursday in support of Referendum 74, the November ballot measure that will ask voters to approve or reject Washington’s same-sex marriage law.

The former priests, some with as many of 43 years of service and all now married, are all members of local parishes.

Pat Callahan, a member of the group, said that for the last 27 years members have been a source of fellowship and support for each other. This is the first time the group has taken a public stance on an issue this important to the church. All but a handful of the group’s 120 or so members agreed to take this stance.

Catholic bishops in Washington state have been active in their opposition to gay marriage, encouraging in-pew donations in many of its parishes. [Read Full Story]

Catholic Bishop: Gay Marriage "Endangers Religious Liberty"

Seattle PI - October 8, 2012

The Catholic bishop of Yakima has delivered the most fiery denunciation yet of Referendum 74, claiming legalization of gay marriage “jeopardizes freedom rather than expands it,” and “endangers our religious liberty and the right of conscience.”

Bishop Joseph Tyson, in a pastoral letter, begins by displaying a wedding picture of his parents, then paints a dark picture of what will happen if couples of the same gender are permitted to marry:

“Once marriage is redefined as a genderless contract, it will become legally discriminatory for public and private institutions such as schools to promote the unique meaning of marriage . . .  This law will challenge our right to educate about the unique value of children being raised by his or her own mother and father in a stable home.” [Read Full Story]