Bishops Encourage Faithful to Attend March for Marriage in DC

Days before the Supreme Court of the United State hears oral arguments that could lead to legalization of same-sex "marriage" nationwide, supporters of the traditional definition of marriage will gather in Washington, D.C., for the third year in a row.

This year, the March for Marriage is getting a specific endorsement from two leading Catholic bishops. 

Bishop Richard Malone and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth and Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, respectively, have invited Catholics to take part in the march on April 25. 

Writing to the U.S. bishops, the two bishops said, “The March will be an opportunity to stand for the good of marriage in our nation, to pray for our Supreme Court justices, and to demonstrate our commitment to the well-being of children. It complements well the bishops’ Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty. The anticipated decision of the Supreme Court positions itself to be the most important judicial ruling in our nation since the infamous Roe v. Wade decision declaring a constitutional right to abortion. The March is an important witness to a movement dedicated to building a culture of marriage and the family, and it serves to remind all people that a Supreme Court ruling will not decide the issue of marriage any more than Roe decided the issue of abortion. We are deeply grateful for any support you can offer for this March.”

The march is organized by the National Organization for Marriage, which describes the event as "our last, best opportunity to reach the U.S. Supreme Court before they decide whether marriage as it has existed throughout our history is unconstitutional."

"For months, activist federal judges across the country have issued illegitimate rulings redefining marriage against the will of 50 million state voters and legislators who voted to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman," NOM wrote on its website.

The April 25 event will include a rally on the National Mall and a march to the Supreme Court building.