The Boston Rescuer
Online Edition

". . . knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." — 1 Cor. 15:58

The Republicans in the House switched their votes en masse to support the leadership proposal on the third vote March 11th even though they opposed the civil union mandate. That switch provided a necessary margin of victory. They did so to put themselves in a position to negotiate with the Democratic leadership at the third reading stage. A look at the numbers reveals that the leadership needs the Republicans in order to get some sort of civil union mandate approved.

That gives the Republicans leverage to make a demand. Either make the final constitutional amendment palatable by splitting it into two amendments, one dealing with marriage like the MA & PA, the other dealing with civil unions. Republicans would promise to support the civil union amendment as well on the grounds that they are "letting the people decide" on both issues. Or agree instead to adopt the amendment proposed by Rep. Loscocco. It reaffirms traditional marriage while mandating civil unions without referring to same-sex relationships, and leaves their definition up to the legislature.

If the Democratic leadership balks, the Republicans would vote no on the current proposal in third reading, killing the whole process, even though they do not support same-sex marriage.

If nothing is sent to the people, Republicans stand to gain the most. They can recruit candidates to run against Democrats on the theme that "you denied the people the right to vote, and a fair one at that, on marriage". Given the intensity of concern about same-sex marriage and judicial overreaching at the grassroots level, there would undoubtedly be more Republicans in the legislature next year. That prospect might encourage Democratic legislators to urge the leadership to make the deal with the Republicans.

All this points to the possibility, but not the certainty, of ultimate victory. Getting into the playoffs is not the same as winning them. Pressure at the grassroots must continue. We have to send the message: "Give us a clean vote on marriage--don't force on the people the poison pill of same-sex civil unions".

The season has been long and hard-fought. We are all weary. Yet this is the time for champions to be made.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From time to time the Massachusetts Catholic Conference staff will report by email on public policy events of concern to Catholics in Massachusetts. "The Hill" refers to the federal Capital in Washington D.C. and also to the State House in Boston, both of which are located on high ground. The Massachusetts Catholic Conference is the public policy office for the Roman Catholic Church in the Commonwealth, governed directly by the four Bishops serving as episcopal ordinaries of the Archdiocese of Boston, and the Dioceses of Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester. "Notes from the Hill" is not an official statement of the Bishops or MCC. Catholics in the Commonwealth interested in signing up as members of MCC-Net, the legislative alert network for Catholics in Massachusetts may do so online at www.macathconf.org, or by calling the toll-free phone sign-up number of 1-866-367-0558.

Massachusetts Catholic Conference
West End Place, Suite 5
150 Staniford St.
Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2511

Glory to God