St. Joseph's Catholic Church

11730 Old Saint Augustine Road Jacksonville, Florida 32258 (904) 268-5422

Florida Marriage Protection Amendment

There are efforts underway in several states to protect the the legal definition of marriage from homosexual groups who seek to legitimize their lifestyles by demanding that society legally recognize same sex marriage. These activist homosexuals are not tolerant of the institution of marriage because their perverse lifestyle excludes them from it. A too large number of judges, elected officials, and special interest groups, either sympathetic to the homosexual cause or seeking political advantage, are actively trying to pervert our laws to allow for a broad and very untraditional interpretation of the definition of marriage. It is vital that the traditional definition of marriage be defended against those who seek to tear it down. It has become apparent, because of our state's very liberal judiciary, the only way to protect marriage is through a constitutional amendment.

In their April 14, 2005 statement "Marriage is Between One man and One Woman," the Florida bishops conference have encouraged support of a proposed state constitutional amendment to define marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife. In order to help insure the proposed amendment is placed on the 2006 general ballot, the Florida Catholic Conference is participating in a petition collection effort sponsored by Florida4Marriage.org, urging all registered voters to complete a petition.

Only registered voters are eligible to complete a petition.  Petitions may be printed and duplicated, however no changes may be made to the petition, as it will jeopardize its approved status.  Original, completed petitions should be returned to the supervisor of elections in the county in which the signer of the petition is registered to vote.