RICHMOND – The Virginia Catholic Conference is urging the
General Assembly to pass legislation to protect individuals
and groups that have religious objections to same-sex
marriage.
Jeff Caruso, executive director of the Virginia Catholic
Conference, stood with lawmakers Jan. 25 as they discussed
various bills they said would ensure religious freedom. The
measures included House Bill 773, sponsored by Del. Todd
Gilbert, R-Shenandoah.
Also called the Government Nondiscrimination Act, it would
prevent state and local governments from discriminating
against a person or organization that believes marriage is
between a man and a woman. The bill also would prevent the
denial of government grants, licenses, contracts and tax
breaks for those who, based on their religious beliefs, deny
services to same-sex couples.
“Freedom of religion is not just about the freedom to
worship. It’s about allowing the ministries and individuals
who are animated by core beliefs to put those beliefs into
practice without being punished for them,” Caruso said at a
press conference with lawmakers at the state Capitol.
“We support this bill because we cherish our nation’s first
freedom, which is religious liberty. A fundamental teaching
of the Catholic Church is that marriage is the union of one
man and one woman. This belief, like every other belief, was
never meant to be confined to the four walls of the house of
worship. Beliefs are instead what guide our actions, our
decisions and the paths we walk every day wherever we are.”
Caruso noted that when Pope Francis visited Washington in
September, the pontiff called religious freedom “one of
America’s most precious possessions.”
“We are all called to be vigilant precisely as good citizens
to preserve and defend that freedom from everything that
would threaten or compromise it,” Caruso said. “Today we are
here to do our part – to be good citizens and preserve this
precious freedom.”
Gilbert, Sen. Charles Carrico Sr. of Galax and other
Republican lawmakers called the news conference to discuss
legislation they had filed in response to the U.S. Supreme
Court’s decision last June to legalize same-sex marriages.
The bills would allow ministers and groups to refuse to
participate in same-sex weddings on the basis of their
religious convictions. Otherwise, some Virginians would be
forced to offer services that go against their core beliefs,
according to supporters of the legislation.
“The heavy hand of government is coercing businesses to
participate in same-sex unions,” said Victoria Cobb,
president of the Family Foundation of Virginia.
“Religious nonprofits, ministries and schools are the next
target of discrimination – something that even the Obama
administration acknowledged during its oral arguments.”
Under Carrico’s Senate Bill 41, a marriage officiant wouldn’t
be required to marry same-sex couples. The bill also states
that no religious organization would have to provide
accommodations, facilities, goods or other services for a
wedding or marriage if the action would violate the group’s
religious beliefs. The legislation is awaiting action by the
Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology.
“Our founders got it right,” Carrico said. “They didn’t want
to infringe upon those deep-held beliefs. They didn’t expect
the government to step in and say to an individual, ‘Because
you have this deep-held belief that you have to do X, Y and
Z.'”
Caleb Dalton, legal counsel for the Alliance Defending
Freedom, said the court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage
is problematic. “Policies that marginalize and punish diverse
views create intolerance, disrespect and strife amongst
citizens.”
Gilbert added, “Fundamentally, I think all Americans agree
that nobody should be forced to adhere to a particular belief
system if they don’t choose to.”
HB 773 has been assigned to the House General Laws Committee.
Also at the press conference, lawmakers discussed:
•HB 19, filed by Del. Christopher Head, R-Roanoke. Under
this bill, ministers and other people authorized to perform
marriages would not be required to take an oath, and they
would not be considered an officer of the commonwealth. The
bill is pending in the House Courts of Justice Committee.
•HB 791, sponsored by Del. Les Adams, R-Chatham. It
asserts that religious rights are “the natural and
unalienable rights of mankind and this declaration shall
remain the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Last
week, a subcommittee of the House General Laws Committee
unanimously recommended approval of this measure.
“These bills are targeted to protect that religious freedom
that each and every person has and believes in; that spirit
within them that drives them to do the moral right things,”
Carrico said.
