Catholic Parishes in Maine Raise Over $100,000 to Fight Marriage Equality

As reported last week, the Catholic parishes across the state of Maine, at the request of Bishop Richard Malone of the Diocese of Portland, held a second special collection to raise funds for the Yes on 1 campaign who is eager to throw out the state's new marriage equality law.

After an initial $100,000 had been pledged by church officials, this second collection will be added on top.

The Catholic New Agency reports, "Marc Mutty, director of Stand for Marriage Maine, said 140 churches across the state took a second collection on Sunday. He reported that the churches could have raised as much as $100,000 to $300,000."

Officials plan to ago ahead with these donations despite the fact that at least five parishes in Maine have had to be closed to lack of funds. Catholics for Marriage Equality have raised objections to these efforts, not only citing that the church is losing sight of its purpose, but also calling its efforts to undo marriage equality discriminatory.

WMTW of Portland reported that outside the churches, protesters dressed as angels and held signs that read, "For Heaven's sake, all love is divine - Vote No On 1."

ACTION: Go the NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality to see how you can be involved no matter where you live.