Several weeks ago, the state Senate asked the Supreme Judicial Court to rule whether the establishment of same-sex civil unions would fulfill the mandate handed down in the Goodridge decision. The court’s answer, which was released on Feb. 4, leaves supporters of traditional marriage with no other option than to continue their push for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Senate President Robert E. Travaglini has no further excuse to delay a vote on the amendment at the Feb. 11 constitutional convention.

Active Catholics are united in the conviction that they have a right to vote on this issue. Legislators should take note that many hundreds of thousands of their constituents are watching and will hold them responsible if the process of defending the institution of marriage is thwarted Feb. 11.

As new moral issues come to the forefront, Catholics should question the appropriateness of voting for those legislators who have abandoned the principles of natural law.

There are, fundamentally, two visions of society. One vision relies on the concept of natural law and holds that certain values are inherently good for our society — such as those of life and family. Another vision promotes self-centered personal freedom, with no objective truth, as the main criteria for establishing the framework of society.

Your legislators’ vote on Feb. 11 will give a clear indication of their vision for our society. If that vote does not correspond with your principles, perhaps it is time to look elsewhere for leadership. We can no longer simply assume that politicians represent our interests and promote the societal values we want for our children. As long as we continually re-elect incumbents, whether or not they truly represent our views on fundamental issues, nothing will change.

In the meantime, we have an appointment Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Statehouse and a duty to keep contacting our legislators to vote in favor of the constitutional amendment. We will be responsible before God if we fail to act now.