Spurred by civil unions, N.J. churches to focus on marriage

Spurred by civil unions, N.J. churches to focus on marriage

By Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press | February 25, 2007

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. -- At the behest of the state's seven Roman Catholic bishops, a prayer to be recited in parishes across the state today will focus on the importance of marriage.

The Prayer of the Faithful says, in part, "God our almighty Father has given married love, its faithfulness and its fruitfulness, a special significance in the history of salvation."

The timing of the prayer, about a week after New Jersey became the third state in the nation to offer civil unions to same-sex couples, is deliberate.

While not specifically addressing the issue, the prayer is intended to remind Catholics that the church opposes same-sex marriage, according to Patrick R. Brannigan, executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference.

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"We would be foolish to sit silently knowing that people are very effectively articulating a position that is in opposition to our church teaching," Brannigan said.

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http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/02/25/spurred_by_civil_unions_nj_churches_to_focus_on_marriage/