Protecting Marriage in Pennsylvania UPDATE!

HARRISBURG (Mar. 19) – Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops are applauding yesterday’s 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 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.

The PCC is the public affairs arm of the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania.