In the letter dated Monday, Archbishop Brendan O’Brien of St. John’s noted that «the Government of Canada is planning to rush Bill C-38 through the House of Commons before the end of this month.»
«Canadians are deeply divided on Bill C-38,» the prelate noted. «This is not the moment to rush into legislation which has such enormous social and legal consequences.»
He added: «Together with millions of other Canadians of all faiths and no religious faith, the Catholic Bishops of Canada remain deeply concerned about the impact that Bill C-38 will have on society, both in terms of altering the significance of marriage and also in terms of the challenges that are already being posed to the basic freedoms of conscience and religion, as well as to freedom of expression.
«On behalf of my episcopal confreres and in my own name, I respectfully request an explanation about why your government is determined to rush such legislation.»
