I have always thought that in America, we had separation of church and state and the freedom to attend any religion of our choice. But I am very disappointed in the Catholic Church trying to change a law that was voted in plurality by the Legislature and the governor, while the law gives all churches the right to refuse to marry anyone if they wish.

Not all citizens of this state are Catholic, and yet the bishop feels he has the right to dictate to all people — religious or not — to abide by the rules of the church. That is wrong, wrong, wrong. There is no democracy in the Catholic Church and Catholics are not permitted to disobey the teachings of the church and yet those are only rules made by man, not laws. I feel that the Legislature should find a way to remove the church’s tax exemption, if they feel that they can dictate to all the people of this state.

Edward Samson, Lewiston