The Catholic Church, along with other faith traditions, teaches that marriage is a natural institution established by God to be a permanent union between one man and one woman, intended towards the formation of a family in which children are born and nurtured.
Any legislation that changes this definition of marriage recognised by all the major cultures of the world demands careful consideration by all Australians.
It is vital that we Catholics vote, so that our viewpoint can be heard on this vital public issue.
Its outcome will affect our society and families profoundly in the future.
We understand that ours is not the only viewpoint in our diverse society. Many do not agree with it. Many people see this as an issue about ensuring equality for every and all relationships.
Yes, human rights are important. But so are human responsibilities. We are responsible for the impact of our decisions on future generations.