Va., Md. govs: Church gay marriage response wrong

Published 11/25/09

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The governors of Virginia and Maryland, both Catholics, said yesterday that it would be wrong for the church to suspend or reduce social services in the nation's capital if the District of Columbia approves gay marriage.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley criticized the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington's response to the district's gay marriage proposal during a joint appearance on Washington radio station WTOP.

The D.C. City Council is expected to approve gay marriage next month. The archdiocese says that unless the proposal is amended to add a religious exemption,...

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Church State - 2009-11-25 19:46:52

While there is no such thing as separation of church and state in the Constitution, there is a freedom of religion. No church should be forced to adhere to laws that violate their religious views unless those views harm people.
If O'Malley and Kaine don't like the teachings of their church maybe it is time for them to find a new one instead of trying to get their church to conform to their views. If they can't understand the Church's stance on this maybe they are not much of a member anyway.

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David Kyle - Pasadena, MD - Karma: Neutral

Church versus State - 2009-11-25 17:49:02

Governors O'Malley and Kaine should respect the separation of church and state. The Catholic Archdiocese provides charitable and contract services to the benefit of both the District of Columbia's citizens and government. The Church's tenets are not altered to accomodate. The Catholic Church does not recognize same sex marriage and has provided notice, it will no longer provide direct support for certain services. The Governors' (the government) statements attempt to foist secular beliefs and obligations upon the Catholic Church, including provision of adoption service and health care to same sex partners. Governors speak in the secular forum, but they should avoid dictating to the Church.

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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Neutral