CWL defends consciences of marriage commissioners

League takes stand to protect religious liberty

By DEBORAH GYAPONG
Canadian Catholic News
Halifax

The Catholic Women's League is seeking legal protection for Canadian officials who object to solemnizing same-sex civil marriages on the basis of religion or conscience.

In a resolution passed at its national convention, the CWL restated its opposition to extending civil marriage to same-sex couples.

It pointed out the Marriage for Civil Purposes Act also protects religious freedom and the right of religious officials to refuse to participate. However, the league resolution noted that solemnization of marriage is a provincial responsibility.

Opposition filibuster

Last week, a private member's bill that would have provided the protections the CWL was seeking failed to pass in the Alberta legislature. The bill, introduced by Progressive Conservative MLA Ted Morton, failed to receive final approval because of filibustering by Liberal and NDP members.

Morton's bill would have protected marriage commissioners who don't want to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies and teachers who refuse to discuss the subject in the classroom.

The CWL resolution said the league will urge the federal government to encourage the provinces and territories to provide "legal protection that upholds the rights of religious communities and their officials to act in accordance with their religious beliefs in relation to marriage, and upholds the rights of conscientious objectors who choose not to provide services related to same-sex unions."

The CWL will also encourage its provincial councils to approach their provincial and territorial governments directly.

"Religious groups must be guaranteed the right to maintain their rules, practices, rites, teachings and traditions regarding the solemnization of marriage exclusively for heterosexual couples," the CWL brief attached to the resolution says.

"Clergy, Church personnel, volunteers and volunteer agency personnel, employers and employees of religious organizations and others involved in civil marriage ceremonies must be guaranteed the right to recognize, participate or otherwise be engaged in only those marriages that are consistent with their beliefs and traditions."

The league also said churches and people associated with them should be able to refuse to host or provide access to events related to marriages other than within their own religious rites and understandings.

The CWL also adopted another resolution related to freedom of conscience and religion.

The resolution urged "the federal government to denounce practices that restrict religious freedom in countries where these exist."

The CWL also resolved to seek an increase in Old Age Security by six per cent per year for the next five years "over and above the cost of living increase with no penalty to the Guaranteed Income Supplement." The league points out that the maximum allowable $487.54 per month is not enough to ensure "a life of dignity" for seniors.

In yet another resolution, the CWL resolved to seek a GST exemption for funeral services, arguing that they are an "essential service" since the law requires the proper disposal of human remains.

A CWL delegation will bring its resolutions to Parliament Hill in the fall when it makes its annual visit to meet with parliamentarians.

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