Archdiocese Says $650K to Support Gay Marriage Ban

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis says it contributed $650,000 last year to support a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage.

The archdiocese says Tuesday that it spearheaded a statewide effort of Minnesota's Catholic bishops. Archbishop John Nienstedt has come out strongly in support of the ban. He says it's in line with fundamental church teaching that marriage should be between one man and one woman.

The archdiocese says the money comes from investment income.

The largest group working to defeat the amendment, Minnesotans United for All Families, said last week it had raised $1.2 million.