Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

Anne Underwood, co-founder of Catholics for Marriage Equality, sent an email blast today criticizing her local church (she didn't say which one) for inserting politics into a recent worship service.

"This past Sunday was confusing and painful in my parish," she wrote.

She said the priest told a story about how, for 30 years, a husband always gave his wife the heel of the bread when making sandwiches. She finally asked why, and he said "because it's my favorite part." And she replies,"But I hate the heel."

This lead to a discussion of scripture, according to Underwood, where the priest quoted passages from Mark that denounce divorce.

"From a passage devoted to divorce, he deduced that only opposite gender couples are chosen by God for marriage," she wrote.

After the service, Catholics for Marriage Equality held a banner outside, and passed out buttons and pamphlets. The group has been a vocal critic of the church for its opposition to gay marriage and for its deep involvement in the 2009 campaign to repeal gay marriage in Maine.

This time around, the church has said it will focus on delivering its message after Mass with discussions for those who are interested in the topic.

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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