Dear Brother Knight:

Sometime in the next few weeks, the Connecticut legislature will take up Bill 899, dealing with same-sex marriage. It’s being sold as a measure that will simply implement the Connecticut Supreme Court decision in Kerrigan, but it actually goes much farther.

The bill is the handiwork of the same Judiciary Committee co-chairmen who tried just a few short weeks ago to push through Bill 1098 (taking away all administrative authority from our Catholic bishops and priests) and Bill 1138 (allowing assisted suicide).

Bill 899 goes too far. It repeals provisions of current law that:

· protect our children from government indoctrination in sexual lifestyles,
· prevent judges from imposing sexual lifestyle quotas in employment and housing,
· safeguard the integrity of teachers in both public and private schools.

Bill 899 provides no religious liberty protection for groups like the Knights of Columbus. The Judiciary Committee refused even to consider an amendment that would provide real protection for religious groups like ours.

It sets the stage for legal attacks against any person, association, business or church that does not accept and celebrate alternative sexual lifestyles. The private lawsuits that this bill authorizes would have serious financial consequences for individuals, companies and other groups targeted by litigants.

Please contact your state senator and representative, and tell them to oppose passage of Bill 899. The Knights of Columbus has set up an easy-to-use website (www.actnowct.org) that allows you to send your message on line, or you can go to the legislature’s website (www.cga.ct.gov) and use their “Find Your Legislator” feature. You can also place phone calls through the Capitol Switchboard, (860) 622-2200.

Legislators in Hartford heard us loud and clear when we objected to Bill 1098. They must hear us now on Bill 899.

Fraternally,

Scott Flood
State Deputy

Archbishop Henry J. Mansell

Archbishop Mansell calls all parishioners to fight attack on Catholic Church in Connecticut, Raised Bill #1098. All Catholics in Connecticut mobilize to oppose bill.

Read Archbishop Mansell’s letter of March 7, 2009.