Washington, D.C.-(ENEWSPF)- Catholics for Equality, the country’s largest national political organization of pro-LGBT equality Catholics, issued the following statement in response to Vice President Joseph Biden’s announcement this morning on Meet the Press that he supports civil marriage equality:
Catholics for Equality is proud of our Catholic brother, Vice President Joe Biden, for coming out in support for civil marriage equality on Meet The Press this morning.
Again, we see pro-equality Catholics leading the fight for full legal equality for our LGBT people in America.
Vice President Biden joins Catholic leaders Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland, Governor Christine Gregoire of Washington, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, Governor John Baldacci of Maine, Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois and Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire in advancing civil marriage equality in America
American Catholics understand the connection between Catholic social justice teaching and full legal equality for LGBT people – including the right to civil marriage. American Catholic leaders like Vice President Biden also understand that it is the government’s duty to offer civil/legal marriage licenses to same-gender couples in our city halls, while protecting our Church’s liberty to conduct religious/sacrmental marriages in accordance with our faith.
Ameirican Catholics understand this distinction. According to a national poll, conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute, when clearly asked support for civil marriage, "like you get at city hall," 71% of American Catholics said "yes," we support civil marriage equality.
Catholics for Equality empowers pro-equality Catholics to put our faith into ethical and effective political action on behalf of the LGBT community and their families.
Catholics for Equality was founded in 2010 to support, educate, and mobilize Catholics in the advancement of freedom and equality at the federal, state, and local levels for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender family, parish and community members.