On Nov. 8, Texans will have the opportunity to vote on Proposition 2 and in Bexar County the ACCD Bond Issue. Voters will have the opportunity to support two of the most important needs in our society, the institution of marriage as well as the future of education.
Proposition 2 is an amendment to the Texas Constitution that will define marriage as a reality that can only happen between a man and a woman, forbidding the legalization of homosexual unions in the state.
On Sept. 29, 2005, the bishops of Texas published a statement expressing our conviction that “marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman” and that “this relationship is unique among creation in so far as it is established by God.”
In fact, as the document shows, “the church’s teaching on this matter is clear. Marriage is a basic human and social institution. In a manner unlike any other relationship, marriage makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the common good of society, especially through the procreation and education of children.”
Catholics believe that “neither church nor state has the right to alter the nature and structure of marriage. What God has joined together let no one put asunder.”
Regardless of what those who oppose Proposition 2 say, our arguments are not purely religious, and even less an attempt to “impose our religious beliefs” on others. The cultural importance of marriage is not only religious. It is fundamentally social and cultural.
The position of Catholics in support of Proposition 2 is in favor of the family, and not against someone. This is important to notice because some people argue that limiting marriage to a man and a woman means to discriminate against homosexuals. This is simply not true. To establish limits is not to discriminate. The amendment establishes limits and doesn’t discriminate.
Marriage, must remain as it has always been defined by God and our founding fathers, or it will simply be destroyed. It is not only a religious issue; it is an issue of natural law and common sense. Marriage is the necessary foundation of the family, which is the basic cell of society.
Not long ago, a national newspaper columnist, who rarely coincides with the positions of the church, commented on Dr. Leon Kass’ report for The President’s Council on Bioethics. In his column he said, “A generation ago, all the emphasis was on rebelling against conformity, on liberating the individual. Now the emphasis is on nurturing bonds so sacred they are beyond the realm of choice. Now the individual is less likely to be regarded as the fundamental unit of society. Instead, it’s the family.” His comments uphold the family as a pillar of our society.
In the pastoral letter, “Economic Justice For All,” the U.S. bishops, reaffirmed the words of Pope John Paul the II as he wrote, “all people have a right to life, food, clothing, shelter, rest, medical care, education, and employment.” They pointed out that these rights are fundamental to human dignity.
In the United States, education is at the root of the pursuit of these rights and economic justice for all. The Alamo Community College District (ACCD) has, since 1898, provided affordable education opportunities for thousands who might not have had access to a higher education opportunity any other way. Today, the ACCD, representing four colleges and three satellite campuses in Bexar County, serve more than 50,000 students and are projected to grow to 68,000 in the next four years.
Stated simply, the ACCD without the proposed bond issue will not be able to provide for these future needs. According to the Citizens’ Capital Improvements Bond Committee, “Without new and expanded facilities, ACCD will be unable to accommodate student growth! Enrollment will be capped, students will be turned away, and tuition costs will rise.”
With the bond issue the ACCD will be able to expand community college facilities throughout the city to meet the growing demand in our community for a trained and educated workforce. This will lead to better paying jobs and quality of life for the people of our community.
Once again, the U.S. bishops wrote,“The rights to education, employment, and social security are empowerments that call for positive action by individuals and society at large.” We all have a responsibility to ensure that access and affordability of education for all of our citizens is a right that is realized. The ACCD bond issue is a vital next step toward that goal in building up this important pillar of our society.
I entrust all Catholics of the archdiocese to the family of Nazareth: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, so that at the moment of voting for Proposition 2 and the ACCD Bond Issue, they may do it thinking of the good of our families, our society, and our future as a nation.