PROVIDENCE—Two state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Rhode Island.
The resolutions have been filed at a time when the legislature is already considering a bill sponsored by Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston), to legalize same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.
Sen. Frank Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence/North Providence) filed a resolution last week to allow voters to approve or reject a question limiting marriage to a lawful union between one man and one woman.
A similar resolution, filed by Rep. Jon Brien (D-Dist. 50,Woonsocket), was slated to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee this past Wednesday. Rep. Brien’s resolution asks that voters in the 2012 election approve or reject a constitutional amendment specifying that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid in Rhode Island.
“I have the chairs of some Senate committees and some bipartisan support for this,” Sen. Ciccone said of his proposed legislation. “I feel pretty confident that it will make it out of the Senate.”
The senator said the issue is one that has been talked about on Smith Hill for some time, but that it is now time to let the public decide.
“It should be put out to the voters to make a determination,” Sen. Ciccone said. “It’s not time to try to cut deals and form alliances at the State House with only 113 people [deciding the issue].”
Rep. Brien says he believes the issue of marriage should not be redefined by the General Assembly because it is too important and personal an issue, one that should be decided by voters themselves.
“When you have this kind of fundamental issue with such importance to society, where people feel passionately on both sides, the proper thing is to allow the people themselves to decide,” said Rep. Brien.
Christopher C. Plante, executive director of National Organization for Marriage Rhode Island, said he expects a large group of proponents to be on hand to rally in support of marriage between one man and one woman as the legislature considers Rep. Handy’s proposal to legalize same-sex marriage. Bad weather forced the legislature to delay consideration of the proposal until this week, after press time.
“We plan on calling out marriage supporters,” Plante said. “I believe we would have had well over 200 supporters out this past Wednesday and we expect the same for next week.”
In response to the proposal to legalize same-sex marriage, the diocese’s Human Life Guild has activated its Faith in Action database, and is calling upon supporters to make their opposition to such legislation known.
“The Office of Life and Family Ministry is encouraging everyone to call their representatives and the members of the Judiciary committee and to appear at the State House on the 9th to offer testimony or to be there in support of traditional marriage between one man and one woman,” said Carol Owens, coordinator of the diocese’s Life and Family Ministry.
"Although marriage has suffered the consequences of no-fault divorce and other factors, I believe that society, men, women and children, will pay a heavy price if marriage between one man and one woman is compromised,” Owens added. “Marriage was meant to be a union between a man and a woman and any other variation weakens that union and could eventually put the common good of our society and its people at risk. This is not the legacy we want to leave our children and future generations.”
Owens said that all Catholics in our diocese are encouraged to pray during the hearing, especially if they are not able to attend.
The Rhode Island Orthodox Christian Clergy Fellowship, led by Father Andrew George, fellowship president, of Annunciation Parish, Cranston, issued a joint statement Tuesday regarding their unified stance in opposing same-sex marriage legislation.
“This new initiative to redefine who may marry breaks with all historic precedence,” the statement says. “We thus urge the Rhode Island legislature to reject such a notion of same sex marriage and reinforce that civil and religious marriage can only be performed between a man and a woman. Traditional marriage furthers and fosters the common good of civil society so we ask all citizens of the state to express their conviction for it and against this innovation.”
Father Bernard A. Healey, governmental liaison for the diocese, applauded the efforts of the two legislators who have proposed that a vote on marriage be left to the voters rather than the legislature.
“I commend Rep. Brien and Sen. Ciccone for having the political courage in attempting to bring this crucial issue of our day to a vote of the people,” Father Healey said.
“I think they know well that 113 people on Smith Hill shouldn't be deciding an issue of such magnitude. The church is firm in her opposition to any attempts to redefine marriage and certainly would be vigilant in working to ensure that any referendum that would be a defense of marriage between a man and a woman would pass. When the Catholic faithful make their voice heard on such important moral issues it can be a powerful and positive voice for the protection and preservation of marriage."
