Rev. Gene Dyszlewski, chair of the Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality, released the following statement today in response to Bishop Tobin's comments regarding oral arguments related to the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 and the so-called Defense of Marriage Act before the Supreme Court
"With all due respect to His Excellency, neither case before the Supreme Court has any bearing on the decision of the General Assembly to make marriage available to all loving, committed couples in Rhode Island," said Rev. Dyszlewski. "This is another in a long string of delay tactics -- seeking to stall the strong momentum of marriage equality legislation -- by those who oppose allowing all families to access the dignity and respect of marriage. The fact is, no decision issued by the Court will render 'null and void' any state legislature's ability to grant the freedom to marry to all its citizens.
"We respect the Senate process, and are appreciative the Judiciary Committee is continuing to consider the testimony from last week's unprecedented 12-hour long hearing. We are still engaging in thoughtful and productive conversations with all members of the Senate.
"This is a holy week for many Rhode Islanders, as we gather around Seder tables and paschal candles. I, for one, will pray for our elected leaders in the General Assembly, that they may hear God's call to love one another, as He loves us."
