Fr. Marc Alexander Submits Testimony in Opposition to Civil Unions (HB 444 HD1)

RE:                   Strong Opposition to HB 444 HD1 Relating to Civil Unions

Aloha members of the Senate Judiciary & Government Operations Committee, I am Rev. Dr. Marc R. Alexander, vicar general and diocesan theologian for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I also thank you for your very difficult work on this and other issues that impact our community.

I register my strong opposition to HB 444 HD1 Relating to Civil Unions.

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Since you have heard and read many pages of testimony already on this issue, I will keep my remarks here brief.

This bill should not be allowed to clear your committee for the following reasons:

1. Civil unions, especially as crafted in this bill, are the same as marriage, except for the name. As I said many years ago, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it may be called a “canard” in French, but it’s still a duck! Please do not let us be insulted by advocates playing a name game which we all know (and advocates for “same-sex marriage” have said publicly) is only a prelude for actually going after “same-sex marriage” – again!
2. In 1998 the people of Hawaii confirmed the power of the legislature to define marriage as between one man and one woman – with some 70% of the vote. This was in reaction to a Hawaii State Supreme Court decision which would have forced “same-sex marriage” on the people of Hawaii. In the true spirit of Hawaii, the compromise concept of “reciprocal beneficiaries” was created to afford certain benefits to those unable to marry. This was a very forward thinking idea. Perhaps it needs tweaking. Then please tweak it. The fact that “same-sex marriage” advocates are not interested in tweaking it indicates that what they really want is not certain benefits but ALL the benefits and recognition that marriage carries. To this, the people have already said “NO”! And I ask that you, as our elected officials, respect this decision.
3. The reason why society has recognized, endorsed, benefited and supported marriage (between one man and one woman) is precisely because it is a special and unique relationship which benefits the common good and larger community in a special way. The anthropological concept of sexual complementarity AND the intrinsic capacity for procreation underpin society’s respect and need for this institution. Marriage is not just about the two individuals – it’s about our community. Male and female in marriage have the opportunity and potential to humanize and catalyze each other in a way no other relationship can offer. In addition, the biological possibility for children and the social fact that having both a loving father and a loving mother is the best environment for the raising of children, argue for the special status of marriage between one man and one woman.

Of course, there are many further arguments against this legislation. I respectfully ask that you dismiss this bill, listen to the will of the people of Hawaii, and focus your energies on the many clear problems that must be addressed. Do not inflict another social experiment on our community.

Mahalo for your kind attention.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(Original signed)

Rev. Dr. Marc R. Alexander

Vicar General and Diocesan Theologian

(Click here to read PDF version of Testimony)