Editorial

Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this constitution or the constitution of any state, nor state or federal law, shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups.

This is the text of the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment being considered on the national level. In Wisconsin, a similar measure is being debated in the state legislature.

Some people ask, "Why do we need a constitutional amendment?" They believe this issue should be left up to the states. Some citizens think that anyone should be able to marry - whether it is a heterosexual or homosexual union. And perhaps some feel that polygamy and incest are okay, too.

Marriage under attack. Yes, the tradition of marriage is under attack in our country. "The wide acceptance in national media of same-sex unions, heterosexual cohabitation and promiscuity has helped weaken the foundation of marriage," say Jan and Peter Buchbauer, presidents of the Christian Family Movement, in an article in the organization's recent newsletter.

"However, acceptance in popular culture does not make something morally acceptable," write the Buchbauers. "Marriage is a sacred institution, given by God to man and woman in the beginning; a coupling of man and woman in a unique way, so that two become one; a coupling of a man and woman in a faithful, exclusive, lifelong union, which has as an object the fulfillment of the call to be fruitful and multiply."

This is the traditional view of marriage. Marriage has been the core institution in our society - the very foundation upon which all else is based.

I think most psychologists and social workers would agree that children are best raised in an intact family, including both a mother and a father. Children reared in such families have been proven to be the most well-adjusted and turn out, on the whole, to be happy, successful adults.

Practical reasons. There are also practical reasons for a federal constitutional amendment. An amendment would provide national uniformity in laws. It would guard against confusion in cases where some states allow homosexual unions and others don't.

It would also take away from the judicial branch the authority to allow gay marriages. Our courts should not be making laws; it should be up to our elected representatives and citizens to vote on such an important issue.

Some argue that we should take our time in deciding on the issue of the definition of marriage. However, it is those local and state officials and judges who are rushing the issue by approving of same-sex unions.

Support amendment. I encourage citizens to contact their state and federal representatives urging them to support a constitutional amendment to preserve the traditional definition of marriage. We must uphold the sanctity and importance of marriage between one man and one woman as the foundation of our society.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

	Mailbag policy We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Limit letters to 200 words or less. All letters must be signed. Please include your city or town of residence. Send letters to: Mailbag The Catholic Herald P.O. Box 44985 Madison, WI 53744-4985 Fax: 608-821-3071 E-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

Recommend seeing Passion film

To the editor:

We were so moved by the film The Passion of the Christ and recommend it for adults and highschoolers. On a recent Saturday afternoon, we saw it at South Towne for $4 and the theater was only one-fourth filled. If you haven't been able to purchase tickets, go to South Towne to see it.

The film is a masterpiece of beauty and inspiring meditation on the passion of Christ with flashbacks from his life and ministry. The scenes between Jesus and his mother are incredibly touching and exquisite. It may seem strange to call the film exquisite when the secular media has been concentrating on gore and violence but it is exquisite.

If you have seen the film Life is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni, you will understand that this film The Passion portrays the deepest sacrifice and the deepest love and it does so with grace and beauty. Yes, there is suffering and violence but this is the story of our Lord's great love for us. The Divine Lover has come to greet us. Be ready, he has gifts to give us. (Our daughter, age 25, and her friend felt there was more violence in Braveheart and it was equal in violence to The Lord of the Rings.)

Mary T. Mead, Monona

Thanks for blanket drive support

To the people of the Diocese of Madison:

The District Council of Madison, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, is very grateful for your continuing generous support of Recycle the Warmth, along with our other charitable work in the Madison area community. Without this annual blanket drive, and the support of our Catholic community, we would not have enough to meet the requests we receive from those in need in our community.

We will use the dollars donated by individuals, businesses, and organizations to purchase new sheets, pillows, and other bedding-related items needed to supplement what we collected. All these items will then be given without cost to individuals and families requesting help with furniture and bedding.

Ralph Middlecamp, executive director
District Council of Madison, Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Watch how legislators vote

To the editor:

The ultimate objective of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act now being debated in the U.S. Congress is in complete agreement with the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2270): "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life."

A Catholic legislator who votes against this act is defying the teachings of the Catholic Church. Watch how all legislators vote on this act.

Charles J. Sippel, Waterloo

Hospitals, offices have information

To the editor:

I was pleased to see the column explaining the difference between Living Will and Healthcare Power of Attorney in the most recent issue. The information was well documented.

The only disappointment was asking anyone to send $10 to the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in order to get the informational packet. This is available at any local hospital and most doctor's offices for no charge.

Sharon Darcey, Watertown