Remember those DVDs that Archbishop Nienstedt sent out in advance of the 2010 gubernatorial election? The ones he said were not political? In an interview with the National Catholic Register this week, Nienstedt admits they were intended to be “the kickoff” to the anti-gay marriage amendment battle.

In 2010, Nienstedt told MPR,

“We, and I’m particularly, are very scrupulous about not endorsing any candidate of any party. That’s not our position. That’s not our right. We need to bring this to the people rather than have it decided by the judiciary or by the legislature. … We need to let the people say what the reality of marriage is going to be. I don’t see that as that big of a political statement.”

And to KSTP,

“It’s not partisan politics in any way. But you know, it’s kind of rallying the troops around this issue and pointing out to Catholics that this is an important issue in every election year,” archbishop Nienstedt said. We’re not a political force but we are a religious force. So we think we should be part of the conversation.”

This week, the National Catholic Register asked,

“What actions are the bishops taking to promote its passage?”

Nienstedt: “We have undertaken a multipronged educational program which has already included sending an educational DVD, made by the Knights of Columbus, to 400,000 Catholic households throughout the state of Minnesota. This kicked off our efforts, through the Minnesota Catholic Conference, to educate Catholics about what marriage is, why it is important, and what the likely consequences will be if it is redefined by judges or politicians.

To further this initiative, all of the bishops throughout the state have asked for a leadership couple or committee in each of our parishes to coordinate materials and education on this subject. We have also mobilized lay groups, such as K of C councils and chapters of the Council of Catholic Women all around the state.

In addition, each diocese is contributing financial support to the Minnesota Catholic Conference to cover the cost of its activities, as well as to support Minnesota for Marriage, the broad coalition of religious and secular groups created to pass the marriage-protection amendment.

Furthermore, this year, the archdiocese is sponsoring many seminars around the Twin Cities regarding the meaning of marriage, with a priest addressing the theology of marriage and a lay expert, often a lawyer with knowledge of the many legal issues involved, addressing the civil dimension of marriage, why government actively supports the institution, and how it serves the common good. Presently, we have a team of one priest and one married couple giving presentations on the Catholic understanding of marriage in all of our Catholic high schools. In addition, I have addressed several large groups in parishes and K of C council halls.”

Neinstedt also notes that the Catholic Church in Minnesota opposes civil unions for same-sex couples but says neither he or the church are against anyone including LGBT people:

“I believe that it is extremely unfortunate that many in both the media and the public square continue to repeat the false accusation that supporters of the amendment are out to harm people. That is simply not true. My only intent, and that of others whom I know, is to safeguard the pro-family institution of marriage and to promote human flourishing and the common good. It is not an “anti” anyone amendment.”