(CCCB - Ottawa) – The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will argue before the Supreme Court of Canada in hearings beginning October 6 that the traditional definition of marriage is constitutional while the proposed legislation by the federal government to include same-sex partners in the definition of marriage is unconstitutional.

The CCCB has been granted intervener status before the country’s highest court as the Supreme Court justices respond to a request from the federal government on the constitutionality of its proposed legislation.

The Episcopal Conference believes the federal government’s proposed legislation would result in two grave harms.  First, it would eliminate the state’s interest in protecting and promoting, for its benefit, the institution of marriage. The CCCB will argue that marriage protects and promotes the traditional family for the benefit of current and future generations of children and, consequently, for the benefit of society as a whole.

Secondly, this proposed legislation would impose a social and moral orthodoxy that contravenes freedom of conscience and religion.  At the heart of the demand for same-sex marriage, the CCCB argues, is a demand for respect and moral approval of the underlying sexual relationship, a demand that could only be met by many Canadians through abrogation of their religious beliefs.

The CCCB will be represented by Ottawa lawyer William J. Sammon, who has pleaded before the Supreme Court of Canada on previous occasions for the Episcopal Conference. 

Related Links:

• CCCB Factum
• Summary of the CCCB Factum
• COLF Brochure: Marriage Matters
• CCCB Pastoral Message on Marriage: September 10, 2003