WASHINGTON—Orthodox Jewish and Catholic leaders decried the promotion of same-sex unions as "marriage" and said the tradition understanding of marriage is "of critical importance to the furtherance of a fundamental societal interest."

The statement can be found at http://www.usccb.org/seia/jewish.shtml.

"While others may claim the right to establish private relationships between persons of the same gender that simulate marriage, the legal classification of such relationships as marriage dilutes the special standing of marriage between a man and a woman," the leaders said. "Since the future of every society depends upon its ability to reproduce itself according to this natural order and to have its young people reared in a stable environment, it is the duty of the state to protect the traditional place of marriage and the family for the good of society. "

The leaders urged those outside their faith traditions to recognize that they speak "from the truth of human nature itself which is consistent with both reason and the moral life." They asked "local faith communities to consider carefully the long held traditions of Jews and Christians on the nature of marriage as built upon the commitment of a man and a woman desirous of establishing a family for contributing to the common good of humanity."

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