We are Catholics who live or work in the District of Columbia. We are a diverse group of lay women and men, religious, and clergy. We are members of parishes, religious institutions, and independent Catholic organizations in every ward in the District. We now join our voices to speak a faithful word for freedom and equality.

Our religious traditions and scriptures teach us that wherever love is present, God is also present. One of God's greatest gifts to us is our human capacity to love one another. The ability of two people to enter into relationships and form families of love and care is one expression of this gift. We therefore affirm the right of loving same-gender couples to enter into such relationships on an equal basis with loving heterosexual couples in civil marriage.

We recognize that there are principled differences on this issue within the Catholic community. As American citizens we affirm that the state should not require any religious group to officiate at, or bless, same-gender marriages. However, the state also should not favor the convictions of one religious group over another by denying individuals their fundamental civil and human right to marry whom they love.

Recognizing that there is heartfelt disagreement on this issue, we call on all people of the District of Columbia to engage in a respectful and loving dialogue on marriage equality. As Catholics rooted in the social justice tradition of our faith we commit ourselves to such a dialogue and encourage our fellow citizens on all sides of this issue to do the same.

God is love and love is for everyone. In this spirit we raise our voices for the right and freedom for all people to marry.

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