Will Washington's Catholics become California's Mormons

May 18, 4:16 PMSnohomish County Progressive ExaminerChad Shue

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Just hours ago Washington governor, Chris Gregoire signed into law a bill that will afford certain elderly domestic couples as well as same sex couples all of the same legal rights and benefits as any married couple in the state. The bill falls short of recognizing same sex marriage and places no obligations on the state's churches to do so. Yet, on the very day the bill was passed by the legislature and sent to the governor, opponents of same sex marriage walked into the Secretary of State's office and filed their intent to place a referendum (Referendum 71) against this bill on the November ballot, thus denying these basic civil rights to these citizens before they are even achieved. And, as of yesterday, it appears that the state's Catholic Church may have just jumped sideways into the fight - potentially setting them up to become the equivalent of Prop. 8's Mormons.

Gary Randall and Larry Stickney - Anti Gay Crusaders

On May 17th, the anti-gay marriage coalition of radical fundamentalists; led by Oregonian Gary Randall and Snohomish County's Larry Stickney (former longtime aide to Snohomish County Councilman John Koster) announced the formation of a new PAC, "Protect Marriage Washington." On the group's new website is the expected verbiage attacking same sex marriage and the list of "the usual suspects" who are endorsing Referendum 71 - including the internationally recognized homophobic activist Pastor Ken Hutcherson as well as current members of the state legislature; Senators Dan Swecker (R-20) and Val Stevens (R-39) and Representatives Matt Shea (R-4) and Jim McCune (R-2).

Enter the Catholics:

Knights of Columbus - Will they join the crusade?

In the midst of these noted defenders of "opposite marriage" comes this entry to the list of endorsers: Council 1379 of the Knights of Columbus (KOC). A brief introduction to the KOC from the organization's website:

"...The Knights  was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities..."

Now one might ask themselves what such an organization might be doing in aligning themselves with the anti gay-rights crusaders at Protect Marriage Washington. Well it seems that Council 1379 has passed a resolution:

• Whereas, The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2357) states, that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered," and "contrary to the natural law." "Under no circumstances can they be approved."
• Whereas, recognizing its many social benefits, society has long licensed marriage between husband and wife, and has granted such unions privileges and prerogatives.
• Whereas, in passing SB 5688 last month, the legislature in Olympia states repeatedly that "marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships." The legislature would thus put the sin against nature on an equal footing legally with the venerable and sacred institution of marriage between one man and one woman.
• Whereas, in Anderson, et. al. v. State of Washington (2006) the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was upheld by a 5-4 margin in the Washington State Supreme Court.
• Whereas, three members of that majority are expected to defect after final enactment of SB 5688. Under this widely expected sequence of events, the State Supreme Court would soon overturn DOMA, and would mandate the issuing of marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
• Whereas, the Knights of Columbus nationally and locally are duty bound to defend traditional marriage in American society and culture,
• Therefore, be it resolved: Council 1379 of the Knights of Columbus endorses Referendum 71, filed in Olympia on May 4, 2009, in order to overturn SB 5688."

Mormons and Prop. 8:

By now most people in the country are aware of the California initiative, Proposition 8, that passed in November; effectively reversing California's courts in their ruling in favor of same sex marriage. Thousands of couples who were days or hours away from seeing their unions recognized by law were denied that right at the ballot box. The status of the hundreds of  some 18,000 couples who had already been united is today in limbo due to Prop. 8. While there have been some efforts to lay the blame for Prop. 8's passage at the feet of certain minority groups, it is the Church of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) who have become most closely associated with the money and volunteer action that eventually led to the denial of civil rights for so many Californians. Today in Washington State we may be watching the initial advance of the Catholic Church, via the Knights of Columbus, into our own 'war on teh gay'.

A Force to be Reckoned With:

While for the most part, the coalition that is pushing for Referendum 71 is a mere shadow of previous efforts against gay civil-rights, the Catholics represent a large portion of the population and have the type of financing the Protect Marriage Washington PAC would love to be able to tap into. If the effort actually extends beyond one local council of KOC issuing a resolution endorsing Referendum 71 into a full press by the church itself, what has appeared to be an uphill battle on the part of the coalition to either pay signature gatherers or find enough volunteers could find itself on a more level playing field. Considering that referendum supporters only have until July 25th to gather 120,577 legal signatures of registered Washington voters to qualify for a spot on the November ballot (the law will go into effect on July 26th if the referendum does not make the ballot) - they will need all of the help they can get.

[UPDATE: 13:15 05-19-2009] - With a thank you to commentors Sarah and KC I apologize for my gross understatement of the number of Californians whose marriages are now in limbo due to the passage of Prop. 8 in November. In fact some 18,000 couples now await yet another court decision on the fate of their marriages.

Peace,
Chad Shue