The Catholic Conference of Illinois today released the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling invalidating the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The Act barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions as marriage.
The statement can also be viewed here as a pdf.
STATEMENT FROM THE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF ILLINOIS
ON U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING ON DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT
CHICAGO — The Catholic Conference of Illinois regrets the U.S. Supreme Court’s wrong decision to invalidate the Defense of Marriage Act. Marriage comes to us through God’s nature as the union of one man and one woman.
The ruling, however, does not mandate a redefinition of marriage across the nation, so the citizens of Illinois can still preserve marriage by telling their state lawmakers to honor the natural truth of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
The Catholic Church in Illinois and across the world will continue to promote this truth.
The Catholic Conference of Illinois will work to preserve marriage and stress the disturbing lack of religious freedom protections included in Illinois’ legislative efforts to redefine marriage. The bill before the Illinois legislature lacks even the minimal protections found in other state laws authorizing the redefinition of marriage, including New York, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
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Individual bishops in Illinois later issued their own statements:
Cardinal George of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Bishop Conlon of the Diocese of Joliet
Bishop Malloy of the Diocese of Rockford
Bishop Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield-in-Illinois