But you knew that.
New Hampshire: Defend Marriage
Civil unions were in place before the legislature created same sex marriage, and they were repealed when the same-sex marriage law was passed. Thus, the proposed amendment to HB 437 largely reinstates the situation which was in place before the same sex marriage law took effect. The Diocese of Manchester consistently has opposed legislation that would establish civil unions. However, the proposed amendment to HB 437 falls into a category of legislation which the US Bishops have previously considered: bills in civil law which may not reflect the fullness of the Church’s teaching, but which nonetheless provide an 'incremental improvement' in the current law and a 'step toward full restoration of justice.'
This quote refers, of course, to the attempt to repeal same sex marriage in New Hampshire. I can't tell you how often I've heard opponents of same sex marriage whine "THEY'VE got civil unions; why do THEY need to get married?"
Well, I guess the church doesn't intend for THEM to have civil unions for one second longer than they can help.
Clearly if the Catholic Church succeeded in defeating same sex marriage, they would target civil unions next. If they succeeded at that, the next step would be re-criminalizing homosexual sex acts. Then the Catholic Church wouldn't feel persecuted by other people's private lives. Poor, pitiful church.