Bishops' Schedules: Bishop Robert C. Morlino Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006 12:00 noon -- Attend and speak at 50th Anniversary Lunch, Janesville Serra Club, Janesville Country Club, Janesville Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006 11:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Stational Mass, St. Patrick Church, Madison 4:00 p.m. -- Preside at Lessons and Carols with the Diocesan Choir, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Bishop William H. Bullock Friday, Dec. 15, to Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006 Attend The Most Rev. Joseph L. Imesch 50th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination, Joliet, Ill. Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006 7:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of Eucharist Schoenstatt Shrine, Madison Bishop George O. Wirz Friday, Dec. 15, to Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006 Attend The Most Rev. Joseph L. Imesch 50th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination, Joliet, Ill. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006 12:00 noon -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison

Under the Gospel Book + Bishop Robert C. Morlino There is no column by Bishop Robert C. Morlino this week.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) represented by Niger Innis, right, and the Alliance for Marriage (AFM), represented by Dr. Matt Daniels, left. The award was presented on December 8 at St. Patrick Church in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo by Pam Payne)

Bishop Morlino: Receives prestigious civil rights award

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino was given a national civil rights award on December 8 for his courage in speaking in support of a state constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage.

The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Alliance for Marriage (AFM) stood together in honoring Bishop Morlino with CORE's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award was presented at St. Patrick Church in Madison by Niger Innis, national spokesman for CORE, and Dr. Matt Daniels, founder of AFM.

The award honored Bishop Morlino for resisting groups seeking to deprive him of his fundamental right - as an American and as a Catholic leader - to express support for a state constitutional amendment to protect marriage between a man and women.

"Bishop Morlino was attacked for exercising his fundamental right of free speech and freedom of religion - in order to set an example that would chill the rights of others," said Daniels. "There were public calls for measures to silence Bishop Morlino using the type of sanctions that are now regularly applied to Catholic leaders and others in places like Canada and Massachusetts."

Innis said, "Bishop Morlino courageously stood his ground and the Congress of Racial Equality, one of the historic 'Big Four' civil rights groups in American, is proud to stand as a brother with him."

Innis added, "With all of society's ills and potential pitfalls, the foundation of marriage is the bedrock of security and guarantor of the full recognition of our human rights and civil rights."

Commenting on the award, Bishop Morlino said, "The defense of marriage is considered by many to be a 'divisive' issue. My main intention in speaking publicly about this, and all important issues, is to promote and protect the inherent dignity of every human being regardless of age, race, creed, or gender.

"The truth of our dignity, and all truth arrived at through reason, is accessible to all. In receiving this award from the Congress of Racial Equality, I am honored to stand in ecumenical solidarity with women and men of different faith traditions and backgrounds, who affirm the truth about marriage which we discover together through reason.

"At a time when it is difficult to find common ground, I hope that the receipt of this award communicates my genuine desire for solidarity with all based on the truth of the Natural Law."

Some of the past recipients of the CORE award include Nobel Laureate Elie Weisel, Secretary of State James Baker, UN Secretary General Boutrus Ghali, and actress Audrey Hepburn.

This is the first time that the Alliance for Marriage has joined with CORE in presenting the award. AFM is a non-partisan, multicultural coalition whose board members include civil rights and religious leaders. AFM's goal is "more children raised in a home with a mother and a father."