Supreme Court hears arguments on same-sex marriage case

(Vatican Radio) The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday on the constitutionality of states defining and recognizing marriage as the union of one man and one woman. In the court's last same-sex marriagecase  in 2013, the justices struck down part of the federal anti-gay marriage law in a 5-4 decision.

The President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky said the  day was a “moment of great consequence.”

"Marriage is a perennial institution, with deep roots in who we are and in our nation’s culture and laws,” he said.

“Marriage is and always will be the union between one man and one woman,” the Archbishop continued. “This truth is inseparable from the duty to honor the God-given dignity of every human person.”

He said the US Bishops are praying that the Supreme Court will “uphold the responsibility of states to protect the beautiful truth of marriage, which concerns the essential well-being of the nation, especially children.”

“Children have a basic right, wherever possible, to know and be loved by their mother and father together,” he said. “The Church will always defend this right and looks to people of good will to continue this debate with charity and civility.”