partnership proposal and meet its obligation “to address moral issues in the public square.”
“The exercise of this right in no way violates the constitutional separation of church and state,” Apuron stated in a 12-page pastoral letter issued last week. “The First Amendment of the United States Constitution does no more than simply forbid the establishment of a state religion.”
Smarting from accusations hurled by advocates of gay union who claimed that the church is overstepping its bounds by lobbying against the proposal, Apuron said the Constitution protects the free exercise of religion and the right of people “to speak out on civil issues,” and “to petition those entrusted with making laws.”
Political activities such as lobbying could threaten a church’s tax-exempt status under the U.S. tax code.
The church has been stepping up its campaign against Vice Speaker BJ Cruz’s Bill 185, which would recognize domestic partnership between gay couples and grant them the same benefits accorded to married heterosexual couples.
“If the Guam Legislature adopts such a travesty it will forfeit its moral authority to continue to govern this island. We cannot in conscience abide with such an injustice,” the pastoral letter read.
Apuron said the Legislature is not obliged to criminalize all “immoral behavior,” but it cannot contradict right reason without stripping its own laws of any force to bind the consciences of the citizens of this island.
While repeatedly stating the church’s claim about the “immorality of homosexuality,” Apuron also warned the Legislature against the danger of enacting Sen. Eddie Calvo’s Bill 219, also known as the hate crime legislation.
“Apart from any consideration of the wisdom of legislating against ‘hate crimes’ in general, the establishment of an immoral behavior as the basis for the legal recognition of a protected group is cause for grave alarm,” Apuron stated in his pastoral letter.
“Such proffered protection is not only a societal endorsement of such behavior, but also the legal basis for the imposition of such behavior on the whole of civil society,” he added.
