TOLEDO—Bishop Leonard P. Blair urged members of the church to stand against attacks on marriage and to stand up for the meaning, dignity and sanctity of marriage and the family.

“This requires that we advocate for legislative and public policies that define and support marriage as a unique essential relationship and institution,” he said, adding that Catholics should also “oppose legislative or judicial attempts to grant same-sex relationships the equivalent status and rights of marriage.”

Bishop Blair’s remarks were made Feb. 3 during the First Thursday Dialogue, a monthly luncheon sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Toledo, the Evangelization and Parish Life Secretariat and the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Deanery.

To hear his entire speech and the question and answer session, click on the audio below.