Catholic Church teachings regarding politicians and Communion were the subject of broad public debate in the 2004 election year. As happens in such instances, some on both sides of the debate politicized the issue for partisan gain, dividing people regardless of their religious persuasion.

As the Washington state Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of a 1998 law that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, our church teachings undoubtedly will become the subject of public debate once again.

As the leader of nearly 1 million Catholics in Western Washington, it is my responsibility to uphold church teaching that supports marriage between a man and a woman because this understanding of marriage is ordered for the good of children and society.

In our faith tradition, personal relationships have a social as well as a private dimension. These relationships are bound up with issues of poverty and justice, the equality and dignity of women and men, and the protection of children.

Many of this newspaper's readers, of course, do not share our understanding that marriage was created by God, not the church or state. To those readers, I would offer assurance that our intention is to support the meaning and definition of marriage that is basic to all cultures.

The three Catholic bishops of Washington state will soon release a statement of principles regarding marriage to help Catholics understand the totality of church teaching on this issue. Our statement will urge Catholics to defend the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman. It also will reject any form of disrespect for persons, "gay bashing," or denial of legitimate rights accorded by the state to its citizens. All persons, including those of homosexual orientation, are made in the divine image and share the full dignity of humanity.

To those outside our faith community, these two statements may seem contradictory in the context of the current marriage debate. For Catholics, they bring our profession of faith into tension with our obligation to live as faithful citizens.

Marriage existed before churches and governments because the union of a man and woman is unique in its ability to create children and give them the best environment for growth and wholesome development. Defending marriage between a man and woman is a matter of critical importance because it is a building block for the family, which in turn serves as the foundation for society.

Proponents of legalizing same-sex unions characterize marriage as a right. They even use terminology associated with the civil-rights struggles of the 1960s. Some of the rights they claim under the banner of "gay marriage" may indeed be legitimate and the bishops of Washington believe this is a subject for legitimate public debate.

We believe, however, that this debate will gain legitimacy only if it focuses on the God-given right of all people to dignity and equality, and not from a distorted understanding of marriage. Catholic Church teaching makes it clear that if such benefits were to be legislated, they must be granted without damaging the essential character of marriage between a man and a woman.

I recognize that this issue has the potential to divide our people, many of whom have children in same-sex relationships. My hope, in spite of the rising voices of divisiveness that mar so much of our current public discourse, is that we will avoid rancor and build unity around the issues upon which we agree.

Proponents of same-sex unions and so-called gay marriage have accused those defending marriage as mean-spirited and intolerant. To them I would say that Catholic Church teaching on the dignity and equality of all persons is no less clear than our teaching on matrimony. We reject all unjust discrimination, recognize the inherent dignity of all people and strive to provide every person with equal protection under the law. Our track record here in Washington will confirm that point.

We must, however, defend our teaching that marriage was not created by the church or state but by God, and that the union of a man and woman in marriage is ordered by God and nature for the common good.