For the first time, the head of the San Francisco Archdiocese is defending the Catholic church's stand on Proposition 8.
In a statement posted on the church's Web site, Archbishop George Niederauer says:
"Religious leaders have the constitutional right to speak out on issues of public policy and Catholic bishops, specifically, also have a responsibility to teach the faith and our beliefs about marriage and family are part of this faith."
The archbishop was a key player in bringing the Mormon church to help pass the gay marriage ban, according to leaders in the Mormon church.
