Dear Parishioners in Hamilton Diocese:

Re: Response of the Supreme Court of Canada to the Marriage Reference

As you are aware, in its response to the reference from the federal government on possible marriage legislation, the Supreme Court of Canada refused to give an opinion on the constitutionality of marriage as the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

The federal government now plans to introduce legislation that would presume to alter substantially the nature of marriage in the society in which your children and grandchildren will live.

In their response to the Supreme Court opinion, the Ontario bishops expressed their dismay but welcomed the Court’s acknowledgement that religious groups will not be forced to conduct or support marriages which do not conform to their convictions.

In all of this, I wish to bring clearly to your attention that the Court has placed the final decision about the definition of marriage in the hands of our federal members of Parliament. As your bishop, I ask you to take an active role in defending the traditional meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Parliament can leave marriage unchanged while meeting the legitimate needs of those in other inter-dependent relationships.

As Catholics, we have a duty to make our voices heard in the public realm. These are momentous and far-reaching decisions that are being made. Your members of Parliament need to hear from you. They need to know what you consider to be for the good of future generations. As lay people, you are the ministers of the sacrament of marriage. You are its beneficiaries.

As citizens, we all have a stake in the democratic process. Write, phone or e-mail the Prime Minister, your Member of Parliament and the leaders of the political parties. Let it be known that the traditional definition of marriage must be upheld for the common good of our society. We need to make it clear that this is our expectation.

Pray at this time for guidance for our federal members of Parliament. They are being called upon to make a very serious decision, which will affect future generations. Pray that they do so with only the common good in mind. I join you in praying for God’s continued guidance in these matters. With mutual support we can strengthen marriage.

I have made my position known to our members of Parliament. Now I call on you to make your voice heard. Every single voice will count.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

BISHOP OF HAMILTON