Bishops
Applaud Marriage Protection Amendment Vote
HARRISBURG
–
Pennsylvania
’s Catholic bishops are applauding the
March 18 successful vote of SB 1250, the
Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment,
in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The
Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) is
among the strongest supporters of the
measure.
“Pennsylvanians
overwhelmingly support marriage as the union
between one man and one woman,” said
Robert J. O’Hara, Jr., executive director
of the PCC. “SB 1250 starts the process
that will give Pennsylvanians the
opportunity to vote on the matter.
“Traditional
marriage provides fundamental benefits to
society – mainly, the protection of family
and in particular, children. Research
demonstrates that one mother and one father
joined in a stable marriage is the best
possible situation for raising children.
Certainly, not every family fits this model,
but redefining marriage and creating
state-sanctioned motherless and fatherless
families discounts everything we know to be
true about marriage.”
The
bi-partisan list of Judiciary Committee
members who supported the bill includes:
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery); Sen.
Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson); Sen. John
Gordner (R-Northumberland); Sen. Jane Orie
(R-Allegheny); Sen. Jeff Piccola
(R-Dauphin); Sen. John Rafferty (R-Chester);
Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton); Sen. Mike
Stack (D-Philadelphia); Sen. Barry Stout
(D-Washington); and Sen. Mary Jo White
(R-Venango).
The
bishops commend the senators who voted in
favor of SB 1250. “It takes courage and
leadership to take a stand on a
controversial issue such as the marriage
protection amendment,” said Mr. O’Hara.
“The bishops of
Pennsylvania
strongly believe that defending marriage as
the union between one man and one woman is
best for society and is worth protecting.
Thanks to these supporters we are one step
closer to ensuring that marriage remains
defined as it is – one man and one
woman.”
SB
1250 will now be considered in the Senate
Appropriations Committee before being voted
on the Senate floor and in the House of
Representatives. To amend the state
constitution, the bill must be passed in two
consecutive sessions of the legislature,
then put on the ballot as a referendum for
the voters.
Note:
Senators Boscola, Gordner and Scarnati serve
districts within the Diocese of
Scranton. They deserve our gratitude for their
support, so please contact them at the
following locations:
Thank
You For Your Support!
|
Boscola, Lisa M. (D)
|
Senate
Box
203018
|
559 Main Street, Suite 270
|
|
District
18
|
458
Capitol Building
|
Bethlehem,
PA
18018
|
|
Northampton
County
|
Ph.
717-787-4236
|
Ph.
610-868-8667
|
|
|
FAX
717-783-1257
|
FAX
610-861-2184
|
|
|
Staff:
Stephanie Smith
|
Staff:
Nancy Wilt
|
|
Gordner, John R. (R)
|
Senate
Box
203027
|
603
W. Main Street
|
|
District
27
|
351
Capitol Building
|
Bloomsburg,
PA
17815
|
|
Northumberland
County
|
Ph.
717-787-8928
|
Ph.
570-784-3464
|
|
|
FAX
717-787-9715
|
FAX
570-784-9379
|
|
|
Staff:
Vonda Treaster
|
Staff:
Beth Pinterich
|
|
Scarnati, Joseph B. (R)
|
Senate
Box
203025
|
315 Second
Ave. 2nd Floor
|
|
District
25
|
292
Capitol Building
|
Warren,
PA
16365
|
|
Jefferson
County
|
Ph.
717-787-7084
|
Ph.
814-726-7201
|
|
|
FAX
717-772-2755
|
FAX
814-726-7012
|
|
|
Staff:
Shelly Brown
|
Staff:
Todd Nyquist
|
