Statement from
The Most Reverend Paul J. Swain
Bishop of Sioux Falls
June 26, 2015
offered in the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s
Obergefell v. Hodges Decision
The 5-4 decision of the United States Supreme Court redefining marriage is not a surprise
but still a sad development.
I fully support the statement made by the President of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, Archbishop of Louisville, and
its characterization of the Court’s decision as harmful to the common good.
I also fully concur in his call to be people of faith, hope and love. Faith in the unchanging
truth of marriage as God intended; hope that this truth will once again prevail in our society; and
love of all our neighbors even those who disagree or punish us for our faith and moral
convictions.
On Monday, June 29 beginning at 7:00 PM at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, a previously scheduled
prayer service will be held in conjunction with our annual Fortnight for Freedom.
This coordinated effort of the US bishops seeks to raise awareness of threats to our protected
religious liberty. The recent ruling and other examples of intrusion into protected freedoms will
be addressed more fully at that time.
Saint Thomas More and Saint Joseph our patrons, pray for us.