Mr. Marcel Proulx, M.P.
Chairman
Special Legislative Committee on Bill C-38
Room 800
Justice Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Proulx:

In congratulating you and the other members of Parliament who have been asked to serve on the Special Legislative Committee on Bill C-38, I also wish to make two requests.

First of all, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops respectfully asks to be invited by the Special Legislative Committee to present a brief and to participate in the hearings on Bill C-38.

Secondly, as has already been indicated to your Committee by the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops, and also resolved at a recent meeting of the Atlantic Episcopal Assembly, on behalf of all the Roman and Eastern Catholic Bishops of Canada we urge the Special Legislative Committee to hold hearings across the country and to ensure there is ample occasion for as many Canadians as possible in the various regions to participate in the hearings, with sufficient time that citizens as well as politicians can give careful reflection and thorough consideration to this important social question.

The proposed redefinition of marriage is a question that deeply divides Canadians. We count on you and your colleagues on the Special Committee to ensure these hearings provide an opportunity for respectful and balanced consideration of all the issues involved.

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Brendan M. O’Brien
Archbishop of St. John’s
President
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

CC       Mr. Jean-Francois Pagé, Committee Clerk

Related Link:

• Resources on Marriage

For More Information Contact:
Sylvain Salvas
Director, Communications Service
Tel: (613) 241-9461
Fax: (613) 241-9048
salvas@cccb.ca