We believe that marriage, by its very definition, can exist only between a man and a woman. Moreover, study after study - not to mention common sense - show that children fare better in life when raised in a home with a loving father and mother in a stable, committed relationship.

I want to focus on the importance of supporting marriage. I always speak about the need to respect everyone's human dignity - regardless of their sexual orientation. I think strengthening marriage is something that benefits everyone.

The ingestion of brain-altering chemicals - legal or illegal - cannot be categorized as good stewardship of our earthly lives.

The reality of marriage as the union of a mother and a father is grounded in our very biology.

Certainly our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters need to be supported in living out their call to holiness.

Our Catholic schools exist to help young people attain holiness in their lives, that is, to become saints.

We Americans can be rightly proud of the fact that the right to the free and unfettered exercise of religion is a primary principle in the vision and founding of our country. It defines us as a people, and has uniquely contributed to making this nation great.