Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002 | 11:02 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- The Catholic bishops of the Dioceses of Las Vegas and Reno announced their support today for a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot to bar same-sex marriages.
Bishop Joseph Pepe of Las Vegas and Bishop Phillip Straling of Reno said the amendment would best preserve the definition of marriage held by the Catholic Church -- a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman.
"Unfortunately, some will use this initiative to advance attitudes that foster ill will against homosexual persons, their parents and their families," said the statement issued by the two.
"Those who use this measure to degrade others act in a manner that is wholly inconsistent with Catholic Church teaching that affirms the inherent dignity of every human person."
The two said, however, that such issues as insurance, inheritance, hospital visits and other matters of domiciled relationships should be addressed. They said the Nevada Catholic Conference will carefully study legislation that may be proposed and offer its support where appropriate.
"We believe those issues can be considered without redefining the meaning of marriage," Bishops Pepe and Straling said.
"While the church does not endorse candidates for public office nor seek to create a voting block, we believe that people of faith have a right and duty to participate in public issues, particularly those which have broad moral implications," their statement said.
The Catholic Church has the largest membership of any denomination in Nevada.
The bishops said many religious leaders have been asked to express their views on Question 2 on the ballot, which passed with a 70 percent majority in 2000. It must be ratified a second time before it can become part of the Nevada Constitution.
"As bishops of the Dioceses of Reno and Las Vegas, we deem it our grave responsibility to provide information that will assist Catholics in voting responsibly," they said.
Bob Bellis, director of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, was surprised by the bishops' stance. Bellis said the church has shown support for the gay community by creating programs like St. Paul's Outreach for gay Catholics.
"It's a shame; it's discrimination," Bellis said. "My whole thing is 20 years ago we had laws that banned interracial marriages. People think it's a stupid thing now, but it was a popular idea then."
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