Comments from Casey, Fitz, & Toomey on Obergefell v Hodges....

Outright Rejoicing, Silence, and Both Sides of the Mouth

• "Today’s ruling is a substantial victory for equality across our nation...." (U.S. Senator Robert Casey, 6/26/15)

• "____" (U.S. Representative Mike Fitzpatrick)

• "Over the years, I have supported efforts to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the repeal of the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. Yet I have also long supported the traditional definition of marriage. Today, the Supreme Court has ruled that all states must recognize same-sex marriage. Understandably, many people will celebrate this decision. While I disagree with it, I acknowledge the Supreme Court's ruling as the law of the land" (U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, 6/26/15 (as reported by PennLive)).

The First Amendment Defense Act

• Thanking Representative Raúl Labrador (H.R. 2802) and Senator Mike Lee (S. 1598) for introducing the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) and urging co-sponsorship from colleagues, Archbishops Cordileone and Lori wrote:

  "As the respective chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage and the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, we write in strong support of... the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA)....It is becoming apparent that some who promote marriage redefinition do not support the coexistence and tolerance of different ideas in a pluralistic society but instead have a 'comply or else' agenda....The leadership of our Church will continue to promote and protect the natural truth of marriage as foundational to the common good."

  Kudos to Pa Representatives Mike Kelly, Keith Rothfus, and Joe Pitts for co-sponsoring HR 2802.  Shame on Mike Fitzpatrick and other Pennsylvanians in the U.S. House for failing to co-sponsor for H.R. 2802!  Shame on Casey and Toomey for failing to co-sponsor S. 1598!  Tell

  Bob Casey (202-224-6324),
  Mike Fitzpatrick (mikefitzpatrickpa08@live.com),  and
  Pat Toomey (202-224-4254) that this is unacceptable!

PASSAGE OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT DEFENSE ACT SHOULD BE AN ABSOLUTE PRIORITY FOR PEOPLE WITH PRO-LIFE/PRO-FAMILY VALUES!

*In addition to is "ALERTS CENTRAL" the USCCB notes that "Action alerts for pro-life issues can also be found through our partner organization, the National Committee for the Human Life Amendment" and "Action alerts for issues related to immigration reform can be found through the USCCB-led Catholic coalition,Justice for Immigrants."  The Pa Catholic Conference also posts alerts.