남성 사이, 또는 여성 사이의 결혼을 금지하는 미국 워싱턴주법을 유지시킨 워싱턴 최고법원의 판결에 대하여 시애틀 대교구의 알렉산더 브러니트 대주교가 축하하였다.
 
 이 판결은 결혼의 권리가 게이들이나 레스비안들에게 까지 인정되어야 할 이유가 없다고 판시하고 있다. 브러니트 대주교는 성명에서, 결혼의 본질적인 실재는 자녀의 보호와 교육을 위한 창조적인 결합으로서, 이는 교회뿐 아니라 역사를 통틀어 사실상 모든 문명사회가 오랫동안 간직하여 온 인식이라고 지적하였다. (시애틀, 2006. 7. 27. 가톨릭통신사)
 
 SEATTLE ARCHBISHOP APPLAUDS WISDOM OF COURT IN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE RULING
 
 Seattle, Jul. 27, 2006 (CNA) - Archbishop Alexander Brunett congratulated the Supreme Court of the State of Washington yesterday, after they decided to uphold the state's ban on same-sex marriage. The Washington Supreme Court ruled by a 5-4 majority that the state legislature had the power to limit marriage to one man and one woman.
 
 The text of the decision said that the court was ruling on the constitutionality of the law, not on the issue of same-sex marriage. It said it saw no reason why the rights of marriage should not be extended for gays and lesbians through a state ballot, reported Reuters.
 
 Regardless of the court’s reasons for upholding the ban, Archbishop Brunett expressed gratitude to the court for its decision.
 "The court has shown wisdom and insight in recognizing the separation of powers that grants authority to the Legislature for enacting legislation designed to promote the wellbeing of children and all persons," he wrote in an official statement. "The essential reality of marriage as a creative union for the protection and education of children is a long-held understanding not only by the Church but by virtually all civilized societies throughout history," he also wrote.
 
 In an earlier pastoral letter, the archbishop stated that Church teaching on marriage as the union of one man and one woman does not detract, "from the dignity of and respect owed to each individual person." The court's decision, he said, "in no way diminishes that dignity nor encourages unjust discrimination."
 The archdiocese had filed a brief with the state Supreme Court last week, which warned that changing the definition of marriage to include same-sex unions would "lead the way to an inevitable collision with religion."