Archbishop John Nienstedt:
Let’s protect the meaning of marriage

[Editor’s Note: This commentary by Archbishop John Nienstedt recently appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. We are pleased to give this thoughtful piece wider coverage.]

Why should Minnesotans care about passing a marriage amendment? Marriage matters to every Minnesotan, whether or not we choose to marry personally, because it is the natural way we bring together men and women to conceive and raise the next generation. The intended reality of marriage as a lifelong, committed, life-giving union between one man and one woman, a reality long accepted as established fact, is severely challenged today. High rates of fatherlessness and family fragmentation impoverish children and leave women with the unfair burden of solo parenting. Children suffer, but so does the whole society, when marriage fails in its irreplaceable task of bringing together mothers and fathers with their children.

Into this confusing mix, so-called same-sex “marriage” throws a whole new level of challenge and uncertainty. Defining marriage as simply a union of consenting parties will change the core meaning of marriage in the public square for every Minnesotan.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE IN May 2010 ISSUE...