Catholic parishes refuse to support effort to protect marriage in Washington State
SEATTLE, Washington , April 16, 2012 ( LifeSiteNews.com ) - Several Catholic parishes in Seattle are refusing to participate in an effort to oppose same sex “marriage” legislation, despite the local bishop’s support for the campaign. A bill legalizing homosexual “marriage” was passed by the Washington State legislature earlier this year and signed into law by Catholic Governor Christine Gregoire . Opponents are attempting to gather the 120,000 signatures necessary for a referendum, so that the state’s citizens will have a chance to vote on the legislation this November. Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain In a letter sent to parishes throughout the Archdiocese, Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain authorized churches to gather signatures for the referendum, and reiterated his support for the measure. The archbishop has been an active opponent of gay “marriage” in Washington State, and testified against it before a State Senate Committee earlier this year. At least three Catholic chur