MARRIAGE & FAMILY

The whole written record of divine Revelation, the Sacred Scriptures, are framed by the mystery of the intimacy and complementarity of the love of husband and wife.

When we have a better and more complete understanding of marital love, we see more clearly the nature of authentic social justice and what directions in public policy–concerning whatever issue–we can and cannot faithfully support.

This page provides resources for learning about the Catholic teaching on marriage, the broader relevance to public policy and how to strengthen marriage at home and in your parish and broader community.

INFORMATIONAL STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE AMENDMENT ACTIVITIES

—What the marriage amendment is, why Catholics are taking action, and the reasons behind our efforts.

MARRIAGE AMENDMENT RESOURCES

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

• Sign up to help fellow Minnesotans support and strengthen marriage
• Join the MCC Advocacy Network to stay current on MCC news, advocacy action alerts and volunteering opportunities
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for quick updates on the Marriage Amendment and other MCC public policy focus issues
• Host WORLD MARRIAGE DAY at your parish on Sunday, February 12, 2012

WHY MARRIAGE MATTERS

• Our Unique for a Reason: Why Marriage Matters blog provides perspective from Minnesota ‘Catholics in the Pew’ on why marriage matters to society, the Church and to them personally
• MCC’s Marriage Matters talking points: view here
• Bishops’ statement addressing the importance of the Marriage Amendment to Minnesota: view here
• Civil rights and just laws, an overview: from Damon Owens, founder of Joy-Filled Marriage, NJ: watch video.
• Robert George, Princeton University Professor and senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, on Marriage, Democracy and the Courts.

Additional Background

• Archbishop John Nienstedt, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, statement on the role of natural marriage in civil society: watch video
• Bishop Paul Sirba, Diocese of Duluth, legislative testimony: view here
• Bishop John Quinn, Diocese of Winona, legislative testimony: view here
• USCCB president Archbishop Dolan on the importance of marriage in civil society and for Catholics: watch video

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING: WHAT IS MARRIAGE?

• Church Teaching about Marriage – resource page from USCCB
• Marriage – A Brief Catechesis: faith, reason and the Catholic teaching on same-sex unions: view here
• “What is Marriage?” – Link to Robert George’s recently published Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy article outlining the philosophical and pragmatic public policy concerns of redefining marriage to include same-sex unions
• USCCB’s Catechetical and educational aid on sexual difference and complementarity in marriage: Made for Each Other
  • Watch video
  • Viewer’s guide
  • Resource guide for priests, deacons, teachers

BEING TRUTHFUL AND COMPASSIONATE: TOOLS FOR SPEAKING WITH OTHERS

• MCC one-page brief on the Marriage Amendment, why it matters and what marriage is: view here
• Frequently Asked Questions about Marriage from the USCCB
• “Take COURAGE: Same-sex Attraction and the Catholic Church” video segment from Canada’s Salt and Light Television: watch here
• Catholic Answers’ resource guide to same-sex marriage

PARISH RESOURCES

• Bulletin Announcements
  • Bulletin Announcements Page
  • Bulletins, Pamphlets, and Other Parish Resources
• MCC one-page brief on the Marriage Amendment, why it matters and what marriage is: view here
• Archdiocesan financial support of the marriage amendment campaign bulletin insert: view here

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Websites

• EnCourage – A ministry within Courage dedicated to the spiritual needs of parents, siblings, children, and other relatives and friends of persons with same-sex attractions
• Minnesota for Marriage – Official site of the ballot initiative campaign to preserve marriage
• National Organization for Marriage – Advocacy group to protect marriage and the faith communities that sustain it

Additional Academic Research and Official Church Documents

• The Marriage Library from The Ruth Institute – A collection of published articles on same-sex marriage and other culture of life issues
• The Witherspoon Institute Public Discourse – A site featuring public discourse on Ethics, Law & the Common Good
• “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons”– from the Holy See’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
• Same-Sex Union Considerations – from the Holy See’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith