The Illinois House on Nov. 5 passed Senate Bill 10 on a 61-54 vote, with two lawmakers voting "present." The legislation changes the state's definition of marriage from "between a man and a woman" to "between two persons." The Senate had previously approved SB 10, and the governor plans to sign it into law.
The Catholic Conference of Illinois issued this statement upon House passage. Read it in Spanish.
During House debate, some lawmakers invoked recent statements made by Pope Francis as justification for their "yes" vote. These lawmakers took Pope Francis' words entirely out of context.
Since then, various bishops of Illinois and Cardinal George have issued statements on the passage of SB 10 or letters to be read at Mass regarding the misuse of the words of Pope Francis.
Cardinal George of the Archdiocese of Chicago issued this letter to all parishioners to be read the weekend of Nov. 16-17. Read the Spanish version. Read the Polish version.
Bishop Braxton of the Belleville diocese issued this statement.
Bishop Conlon of the Joliet diocese issued this statement.
Bishop Malloy of the Rockford diocese issued this statement (Spanish version) and this letter to all parishioners to be read the weekend of Nov. 9-10. (Spanish version).
Bishop Paprocki of the Springfield diocese issued this press release.