Living
the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics
In
this 1998 document, the US Bishops call Americans
to protect the sanctity of life. "Both as
Americans and as followers of Christ, American
Catholics must be committed to the defense of
life in all its stages and in every condition."
Massachusetts Marriage Amendment
Phase I - Ballot Initiative Petition Drive
September 21 - November 23, 2005
As part of the VoteOnMarriage.org coalition, Catholic Citizenship
working with parish leaders from around the state helped to gather over 70,000 signatures
from Catholics for the ballot initiative petition that would define marriage as a "union between one man and one woman."
A state record 170,000 signatures were collected overall. In December 2005, Secretary of State
William Galvin certified the signatures of 123,356, nearly twice the required 65,825.
Constitutional Marriage Amendment Process PHASE I - Petition Drive - Sept. 21 - November 23, 2005 RESULT: 170,000 signatures collected and a record 123,356 signatures certified;
only 65,825 certified signatures were required. PHASE II - May 10, 2006 - January 2, 2007
RESULT: Amendment advanced with a 62-134 vote at the 2006 Constitutional Convention, 12 votes more than the required 50. PHASE III - 2007 Constitutional Convention
RESULT: Amendment is defeated with a 45-151 vote; 5 votes short of advancing to the 2008 ballot.
PHASE IV - Election Day, November 4, 2008
END GOAL: The people vote on the Amendment at the ballot box.
Phase I Timeline June 16, 2005 - A coalition of groups form VoteOnMarriage.org, a ballot initiative committee formed to
mount a petition drive to place a constituaional amendment on marriage on the 2008 ballot.
Read:
"Group to seek referendum against gay marriage"
August 24, 2005 - Pressure mounts on Attorney General Thomas Reilly to reject the proposed ballot intiative petition
to define marriage as "unconstitutional."
Read:
"Focus turns to Reilly in gay-marriage fight"
December 20, 2005 - Secretary of State William Galvin certifies 123,356 signatures for the initiative - a new state record.
Read:
"Petition vs. gay marriage advances"
PHASE I ACTION PLAN
DOWNLOAD PETITION
Sign and Mail to: Catholic Citizenship
198 Tremont Street, Suite 450
Boston, MA 02116-4705
REGISTER ONLINE
Please take one minute to do this. This powerful tool allows you to respond to our Action Alerts and contact your
elected official in just seconds.
DONATE
Help our efforts with an easy, online contribution.
For more information or to find out how you can help: Contact Larry Cirignano at 617-755-7668.
Triple Excellence 
As part of the VoteOnMarriage.org coalition, Catholic Citizenship
working with parish leaders from around the state helped to gather over 70,000 signatures
from Catholics for the ballot initiative petition that would define marriage as a "union between one man and one woman."
A state record 170,000 signatures were collected overall. In December 2005, Secretary of State
William Galvin certified the signatures of 123,356, nearly twice the required 65,825.
PHASE I ACTION PLAN
