The Catholic Church has every right to participate in the political debate over same-sex marriage

In her letter objecting to the Catholic Church's support of the petition to bring the same-sex marriage law to referendum. Anna Harrison asks "whatever happened to separation of church and state?" ("The Catholic Church has become a hurtful and hypocritical institution," May 3).

Perhaps Ms. Harrison should re-read the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Certainly, the free exercise of religion must include the right to promote a position concerning any moral issue that has come up for discussion in the political arena.

Charles Roswell, Columbia