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Catholics organize marriage rally at Capitol
By Nissa LaPoint
The Colorado Catholic Conference continued its work to defend and protect marriage by holding a marriage rally May 15 at the state Capitol.
People gathered to pray and rally behind traditional marriage on the west steps of the Capitol downtown in response to the Legislature’s consideration of a civil union bill.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper called for a special session that began May 14 in order to consider seven bills the state House “failed to act on” during regular session.
One of the bills representatives were asked to consider is Senate Bill 2, which would allow same-sex couples to enter into a civil union.
The Colorado Catholic Conference, a public policy organization that serves the dioceses of Denver, Pueblo and Colorado Springs, responded by calling Hickenlooper’s decision a “great disappointment.”
“This special session is a rash reaction to political and financial pressure from special interest groups who do not represent the majority of Coloradans,” the conference said in a statement.
Colorado voters approved Amendment 43 in 2006 that defines marriage between a man and a woman. That same year Referendum I, which would have established domestic partnerships, was defeated by a 53 percent vote. In April 2009, former Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law “designated beneficiary” legislation that gave rights like hospital visitation, medical decision making and inheritance to same-sex couples.
The conference also asked people to call Hickenlooper and their representative and senator to voice their opposition to attacks on marriage and efforts to change its definition from a union between one man and one woman.
The legislators will determine the length of the special session, which costs taxpayers $23,500 a day, according to the governor’s office.
Nissa LaPoint: 303-715-3138; Nissa.LaPoint@archden.org; www.twitter.com/DCRegisterNissa
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