Home Page > Defense of Marriage > Index > Press Statement

+ TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE RENEWAL DAY PRESS STATEMENT

My name is Joseph Mattera and I am the director of City Covenant Coalition, a network of ministers and ministries that is coordinating this Traditional Marriage Renewal Sunday, alongside other denominations, networks and ministers. These include CONLICO, The Church of God in Christ, Radio WWDJ/WMCA, Radio Vision Christiana, Concerts of Prayer, the New Jersey Faith alliance and many others. These ministries represent thousands of churches from all over the Tri-state area with a Christian voting block that numbers in the tens of thousands!

We are here because the institution of marriage is under attack in contemporary society. We unequivocally affirm the traditional view of marriage only being between one man and one woman. Last March 29th, in an unprecedented show of multi-ethnic and trans-denominational unity, more then 250 clergy assembled on these same steps to affirm traditional marriage. Today we have gathered thousands of others who stand united to affirm this same view of marriage.

We are highly offended that such a holy institution should be secularized for political and ideological gain! Marriage is primarily a religious issue and should not be redefined from a radically political, judicial or social perspective. Upholding this position is a crucial quality of life issue that will affect future generations to come.

We again state that the sacred covenant of marriage should not be altered to satisfy special interest groups and promote the radical agenda of some public officials and un-elected judges.

Furthermore, we do not accept or affirm the recent same-sex marriages in the state of Massachusetts, nor will we ever recognize same sex marriages in New York nor perform the same in our churches.

Rather than redefining marriages or watering down the same with domestic partnerships, our society needs to do all it can to strengthen the institution of traditional marriage and family because it is one of the foundational building blocks of all civilizations. Just as counterfeiting money will threaten our economy, counterfeiting marriage will cheapen, weaken, and detach the fundamental building block of society. The concept of same-sex marriage is at war with family values. There can be no reconciliation.

We support any law and or a constitutional amendment that will ensure that this traditional view of marriage is upheld and protected.

Jesus said "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. (Matthew 19:4-6)

In this passage, Jesus, reflecting on the words of Moses in the book of Genesis, reaffirmed the Biblical belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. We therefore urge all citizens, and public officials to honor these immortal words and join with us in celebrating this sacred covenant.

With one voice, we celebrate traditional marriage and have set aside this day and proclaimed it “Traditional Marriage Renewal Sunday,” in which legally married couples will renew their wedding vows and pray that our city, region and nation will also renew their commitment to uphold this high standard of marriage, held since the beginning of all civilizations, cultures and religions.

In regard to the church, it is time to “come out of the prayer closet” and to speak to this culture. Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against the church. He also called us salt and light to the world. Many are used to the church staying silent in matters of politics and culture; we are calling for the church to ignore these voices and stand up for mainstream America.

As for City Covenant Coalition, we will soon announce the formation of a new political organization led by key bishops, pastors, and marketplace leaders to ensure that our efforts won’t die out after this one event. Until today, this city has never seen such a diverse coalition of clergy speaking with one voice. As congregations, we will no longer vote in destructive patterns; we will no longer be used as pawns. If you do not represent our values, you will not get our vote.

We love, respect and encourage all people to visit our congregations, especially those with questions regarding marriage.

For more information, visit our website at www.citycovenant.com