"The broad consensus reflected in this letter-across great religious divides-is clear: The law of marriage is not about imposing the religion of anyone, but about protecting the common good of everyone," said Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, newly elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and one of the letter's signers. "People of any faith or no faith at all can recognize that when the law defines marriage as between one man and one woman, it legally binds a mother and a father to each other and their children, reinforcing the foundational cell of human society."

The release of this letter coincided with the beginning of oral arguments on the Proposition 8 case. In August, Judge Vaughn Walker had ruled California's Proposition 8 to be unconstitutional, based in part on the claim that defining marriage as between a man and a woman lacked any rational basis at all, and instead reflected nothing but religion-based hostility to homosexual persons. This ruling has been appealed and its initial hearing was scheduled for December 6.

"Today is the moment to stand for marriage and its unchangeable meaning. We hope this letter will encourage just that," Archbishop Dolan said. "The Protection of Marriage: A Shared Commitment" is being circulated nationwide. Downloadable PDF versions of the letter can be found at http://www.usccb.org/defenseofmarriage/shared-commitment.

Full text of the letter and signers follows: The Protection of Marriage: A Shared Commitment

Dear Friends,

Marriage is the permanent and faithful union of one man and one woman. As such, marriage is the natural basis of the family. Marriage is an institution fundamental to the well-being of all of society, not just religious communities.

As religious leaders across different faith communities, we join together and affirm our shared commitment to promote and protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman. We honor the unique love between husbands and wives; the indispensible place of fathers and mothers; and the corresponding rights and dignity of all children.

Marriage thus defined is a great good in itself, and it also serves the good of others and society in innumerable ways. The preservation of the unique meaning of marriage is not a special or limited interest but serves the good of all. Therefore, we invite and encourage all people, both within and beyond our faith communities, to stand with us in promoting and protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Sincerely yours,

Leith Anderson President National Association of Evangelicals

Dr. Thomas E. Armiger Dr. Jo Anne Lyon Dr. Jerry G. Pence The Board of General Superintendents The Wesleyan Church

Dr. Gary M. Benedict President The Christian and Missionary Alliance

Glenn C. Burris Jr. President The Foursquare Church

Bishop H. David Burton Presiding Bishop The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Dr. Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr. Presiding Bishop International Pentecostal Holiness Church Ministries

Nathan Diament Director, Institute for Public Affairs Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America

Most Rev. Timothy M. Dolan Archbishop of New York President United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Most Rev. Robert Duncan Archbishop, Anglican Church in North America Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh

Rev. Jim Eschenbrenner Executive Pastor Christian Union

Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Gammon Conference Minister Conservative Congregational Conference

Rev. Matthew C. Harrison President The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

John Hopler Director Great Commission Churches

Dr. Clyde M. Hughes Bishop International Pentecostal Church of Christ

Ken Hunn Executive Director The Brethren Church

Bishop Harry Jackson Senior Pastor, Hope Christian Church Bishop, Fellowship of International Churches

The Most Blessed Jonah Archbishop of Washington Metropolitan of All America and Canada Orthodox Church in America

Dr. Richard Land President Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

Rev. Frederick J. Moury Jr. National Conference Chair Evangelical Congregational Church

Dr. James Murray Interim Executive Director General Association of General Baptists

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez President National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference

Manmohan Singh Secretary General World Sikh Council - America Region

The Rev. Paull E. Spring Bishop North American Lutheran Church

Dr. Joseph Tkach President Grace Communion International

Rev. Phil Whipple Bishop Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA

Dr. George O. Wood General Superintendent Assemblies of God

END