PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The leader of Rhode Island's Roman Catholic Diocese has again entered the debate over gay marriage, calling it "immoral and unnecessary."
However, religious leaders comprising a coalition that is endorsing same sex marriage announced its commitment today to continue working to pass marriage equality legislation in Rhode Island.
Bishop Thomas Tobin released a statement Monday urging lawmakers to drop legislation to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.
Tobin says the Catholic Church rejects the "homosexual lifestyle" and says gay marriage poses a threat to religious freedom.
"Same sex marriage is as wrong now as it was two years ago and four years ago," the Bishop told WPRO's Carolyn Cronin.
"Even though there's a lot of pressure we'd hope that the members of the General Assembly will have the moral courage they need to stand firm and resist this proposition."
Tobin also argues Rhode Island should wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on the federal law defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.
He says that if the state must consider gay marriage, it should be placed before voters as a referendum.
"Faith organizations that do not affirm same sex relationships such as the Bishop's will not be required to do anything when the bill becomes law," said the Reverend Gene Dyszlewski, a minister in the United Church of Christ and chair of the Rhode Island Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality.
"We're pretty much protected now, there is no marriage that I necessarily have to perform because the state says so in any way, shape or form," said Rev. Dyszlewski.
"I think if the Bishop wishes to speak to his constituents and his flock, he may do that. Suggesting this for the entire state is a bridge too far, and I disagree," he said.
Rhode Island is the only New England state without gay marriage. State representatives are expected to vote on the matter this month.
