re: Marriage Unique for a Reason (USCCB, June 2019)

June 2019 June 2019 Continuing the U.S. Bishops' work of promoting and defending marriage. Visit our Website Made for Love Podcast Last month's Made for Love explored in depth the experiences of three adult children of divorce. Beth Sri, Dan Meola, and LeeAnne Abel shared their stories and of the work that they have done in order to faithfully live out their own marriages. Adult Children of Divorce: Part One The divorce of your mother and father affects you as a child, but not only as a child... Today we introduce you two three adult children of divorce who share their stories and experiences. Some of the stories appear in the book Primal Loss: The Now-Adult Children of Divorce Speak by Leila Miller. Adult Children of Divorce: Part Two When your parents get divorced, it’s not a one-time event. It remains with you for life. Today we continue the conversation with three adult children of divorced parents about the road to healing and how they seek to build up their own families. In June, Made for Love will look at the impact of digital technology on family life and the experiences of couples who have miscarried. The USCCB Opposes the Equality Act On March 13th, Democrats in both houses of Congress reintroduced the “Equality Act.” This legislation would redefine “sex” in federal law to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” and insert it throughout nondiscrimination and civil rights laws. This is a priority of the Democrats and, for the first time after years of introductions, is likely to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives; but it poses many problems, especially for women and girls, healthcare providers, and religious charities, which were elaborated upon in a letter sent by USCCB chairmen on March 20th. The bishops wrote, in part: “Rather than offering meaningful protections for individuals, however, the Equality Act would impose sweeping regulations to the detriment of society as a whole.” Here is the media release about the USCCB's opposition.  USCCB Action Center All the USCCB's action alerts for legislative priorities are available at one website. There you can contact your representatives and make your voice heard. Check it out! Legal/ Policy Updates Equality Act – On May 17, the House of Representatives passed the “Equality Act” (H.R. 5) by a vote of 236 to 173. Though the bill stands little chance in the current Senate; if ever enacted, it would insert “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” into all manner of public life via federal nondiscrimination laws, while shrinking long-standing religious protections. Five USCCB bishop chairmen responded to the vote. U.S. Supreme Court – On May 28, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal brought on behalf of students in a Pennsylvania high school (like outspoken child of foster care and adoption, Alexis Lightcap) who sought to stop the school’s allowing people to use the restrooms of the opposite sex. This is a critical setback for students in the name of gender ideology. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services – On May 24, the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services released a proposed rule to undo problematic parts of a regulation from the prior Administration, which had sought to mandate abortion and “gender transition” procedures by inserting “termination of pregnancy” and “gender identity” into healthcare nondiscrimination law. LGBTQ Lessons in Schools– On May 2 and 3, the Colorado state legislature passed bills to mandate “LGBTQ” inclusion in history and sex education curricula. On May 23, Illinois passed a similar bill with respect to its history curriculum.