Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brienapplies the Bible in a convenient — to him — but logically inconsistent way ("Redefining marriage in Md.?" March 2). He cites the book of Genesis, which says that God created males and females, blessed them and told them to multiply.

Fair enough, and many of us have enjoyed accepting that mission. But the Bible does not say that everyone must accept that mission — as surely the cardinal knows, since he and his fellow Roman Catholic priests have rejected it, choosing celibacy instead.

Our gay and lesbian friends and neighbors, like the Roman Catholic priests, follow a different but loving path. Let's not make life harder for them. It is my prayer that the people of Maryland will recognize their expressions of love when they go to the voting booth in November.

Ed Hodges