Cardinal George Says Same-Sex Marriage Vote Is 'Against The Common Good'; Do You Agree?

As gay marriage moves closer to a vote in the Illinois General Assembly, Cardinal Francis George has released a letter attacking the notion of same sex marriage itself and urging Catholics to voice their objections. 

A vote could happen in the Senate as soon as today as lawmakers look to pass the legislation during the lame duck session. Illinois would become the 10th state in the country to allow same-sex marriages.

In his letter, George argued that gay marriage is "against the common good" because same-sex marriages cannot be consummated and are not undertaken for the purpose of conceiving children and that government, "has no power to create something that nature itself tells us is impossible."

He qualifies his argument by writing that the Catholic church offers support for the gay community through various ministries. George argues that opposition to the potential law is crucial because of societal acceptance same-sex marriage would gain if it is viewed as legal. 

"Human dignity and human rights are then reduced to the whims of political majorities," he writes. 

Supporters of same-sex marriage have long argued that legalization is a human rights issue and the restriction of marriage rights to heterosexual couples is its own form of discrimination. 

The law would force no religious institutions to perform same-sex marriages. 

In St. Charles, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady is asking GOP support for same-sex marriage. Brady told the Daily Herald that he is lobbying as a citizen rather than in his capacity as party chairman.

Gay marriage has been gaining support nationally at a comparatively rapid rate in recent years. Recent polls have consistently indicated that over half of Americans support it. That number spikes to 72 percent of Americans between 18 and 29 years of age, according to a CBS News poll.