Bishops issue statement on redefinition of marriage
Referendum 74 Petitions
YAKIMA - The Most Rev. Joseph J. Tyson, Bishop of Yakima, joined the other Roman Catholic Bishops of Washington state today in issuing a pastoral statement regarding Referendum 74, the November ballot measure that would allow gay marriage in the state.
In the letter, the bishops reaffirm their "commitment to protect and defend the dignity of every human person, " including gay persons. At the same time, the bishops "affirm the Church's consistent teaching that marriage can only be the union of one man and one woman."
The Bishop's statement can be seen here.
The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) represents the Catholic bishops of Washington State: Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of the Archdiocese of Seattle; Bishop Blase J. Cupich of the Diocese of Spokane; Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of the Diocese of Yakima; and Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Seattle.