FROM THE OFFICE OF BISHOP TONNOS

ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING MARRIAGE

The Diocese of Ontario have agreed to make petitions to the Parliament of Canada asking it to adhere to

the definition of marriage which the Parliament accepted by a vote of 216 to 55 on June 8, 1999, as

"the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

We believe that,

1. The purposes of marriage are the good of the couple, and the procreation of children.

2. Marriage as a union between one man and one woman has existed across all cultures, in all civilizations, and in all religions, for all of recorded history.

3. Marriage is the basic unit of society, the social nucleus in which most children are born and raised.

4. The most recent data from Statistics Canada confirms that marriage is the most stable union in which to raise children.

5. Marriage is a unique institution that is deeply rooted in our history, culture and religious traditions.

FOR ALL OF THESE REASONS BISHOP TONNOS ENCOURAGES ALL CATHOLICS IN THE DIOCESE TO SUPPORT THIS PETITION