MADISON, Wis. -- In a rare move, Madison's Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Morlino recorded a homily and ordered all priests to play it in the run up to next week's election.

Morlino will use the pulpit to emphasize the church's position on controversial votes, including the death penalty, stem cell research and the state's proposed marriage amendment.

In the recording, Morlino referred to arguments against the marriage amendment as "bologna." He has also sent a confidential letter to priests saying that there could be serious consequences for those not following the teachings of the church.

This weekend, parishioners at St. Paul's on the University of Wisconsin campus will join others across the diocese for a guest homily. In the letter to priests, Morlino wrote that it was mandatory that this recorded message be played for our faithful people at all masses.

"Very honestly, I would prefer never to have to resort to this particular format, and you can be assured that my use of it will be extremely rare," Morlino wrote.

"There is no right to redefine marriage, and if we admit that there is such a right, then that causes the collapse of the family, and that causes the collapse of society in due time," he wrote.

The Rev. Randy Timmrerman said the bishop's message is meant to clarify the church's position.

"I think people are struggling in understanding the amendment," Timmrerman said. "Clearly, I think people are understanding a marriage as a man and a woman and there has come confusion on the second part of the amendment and how that plays itself out."

Up State Street from this church, volunteers at one of 10 statewide Fair Wisconsin offices said that they hoped the second part of the amendment question will bring them victory. For them, the amendment goes beyond defining marriage as between a union between a man and a woman. It would also say that any arrangements similar to marriage for unmarried people would also be banned. It is one reason many churches are pushing for a no vote, WISC-TV reported.

"Because they are Christian, because they are compelled to love their neighbor, and treat their neighbor fairly, they must stand up and speak out against this measure," said Josh Freker, the communication's director for Fair Wisconsin. "I think what's really important to point out is that many people of faith, and faith institutions in this state actually support Fair Wisconsin in urging their congregations across the state to actually vote 'no' because they feel that second sentence in particular goes to far is unjust to people and unfair to families across Wisconsin."

The second sentence in the amendment talks about legal status similar to marriage being outlawed. Some believe that statement went much farther than just defining marriage as being between one man and one woman, WISC-TV reported.

In his homily, Morlino talks about such arguments.

"I am tired of reading that in the local newspapers. The nicest thing I can say about that in church is that it's bologna," said Morlino.

In the letter, he told priests that any of them who express a disagreement with the church's teachings will be engaging in an act of disobedience, which could have serious consequences.

Both those for and against the amendment are in the final push to get their message out before Nov. 7.

For More Info:

Read Bishop's Letter (PDF Format)
Listen To Bishop's Homily (Windows Media Format)