Following an emotional debate, the Minnesota House passed a measure Saturday night by a vote of 70-62 that will put a state constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2012 to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

“Today, the voters of Minnesota, like those in 30 other states, have been given the opportunity to have an important conversation about the future of marriage,” said Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, which supported the amendment bill.
“We look forward to a respectful and civil conversation among Minnesotans about why the amendment should be adopted.

“We are grateful to the Legislature for putting this amendment on the ballot,” he added.

The Senate has already passed the bill. The measure is not subject to a veto by the governor.

The question on the ballot for voters will be: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?”

The MCC is the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota.

To view the Minnesota Catholic Conference’s “Marriage Amendment Resource Page,” visit http://mncc.org/issues/marriage.