PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee said Thursday that he would most likely veto a referendum bill that would allow voters to define marriage, should one emerge this year from the General Assembly.
On Friday, the Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Diocese of Providence called for putting the matter in the hands of voters. A religious coalition in favor of same-sex marriage supported Chafee.
Chafee, a same-sex marriage supporter, said he believes lawmakers are elected to make such decisions and should be allowed to decide the issue of same-sex marriage.
Bills to legalize same-sex marriage have been introduced in the House and Senate, but Sen. Frank Ciccone, D-Providence, has said he plans to introduce a bill that would put the issue before voters.
The initial version of this report was posted at 12:14 p.m. Thursday, and updated at 12:21, 4:46 and 5:21 p.m. Friday.
CATHOLIC BISHOP: 'LET US VOTE' In a statement Friday, Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Diocese of Providence makes a case for putting the issue in the hands of Rhode Island voters. “Governor Chafee’s threat to veto a proposed referendum on same-sex marriage in Rhode Island is arbitrary and undemocratic. One must ask, respectfully, what the Governor is afraid of? "An issue of this magnitude, historic in scope and with enormous cultural and societal consequences, should be determined by the citizens of the state," Tobin said in the statement.
Updated January 11, 2013 12:19 PM
RELIGIOUS COALITION CHAIRMAN SUPPORTS CHAFEE'S LIKELY VETO: The Rev. Gene Dyszlewski, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and chairman of the R.I. Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality, said today in a statement that he would support Governor ChafeeâÂÂs likely veto of any bill seeking a referendum on same sex marriage. "I commend Governor Chafee for his strong statement opposing attempts to subject the civil rights of any Rhode Islander to a statewide referendum. . . . the governor is correct in advocating the House and Senate move forward with a vote," Dyszlewski said in the statement. "We expect the General Assembly to represent their constituents on a wide and diverse array of issues --  surely granting equal access to the recognition and protections that only marriage can afford, is no different," he said.
Updated January 11, 2013 4:44 PM
CHAFEE RESPONDS TO CATHOLIC BISHOP: Responding to Bishop Tobin's statement, Governor Chafee had this response Friday afternoon: "Since my time as a state delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention of 1986, I have been consistent in my view that in a representative democracy lawmakers have the responsibility to make decisions on matters both monumental and routine. "I agree with Bishop Tobin that this is an important issue for Rhode Island. Civil rights are important. And this civil right should be quickly passed by the General Assembly. "Under Rhode Islandâs representative democracy, voters have the opportunity to choose new legislators every two years."
Updated January 11, 2013 5:21 PM