Sen. Ruben Diaz, an outspoken opponent of legalizing same-sex marriage in New York, released a statement slamming Gov. Andrew Cuomo for what he sees as an effort to mobilize the gay community during Holy Week.

Diaz, a Pentecostal minister and Bronx Democrat, accused Cuomo of “targeting communities of faith” during the week of Passover and the run-up to Good Friday and Easter.

From the statement:

We all know that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget, which was done in haste to beat the clock, will cause tremendous suffering to countless New Yorkers – especially Black and Hispanic communities. His cuts will hurt students, senior citizens, the sick, the poor and the needy. Now Governor Cuomo is targeting communities of faith in an effort to redefine marriage. The most basic tenets of New York’s largest faith communities include defining marriage as between one man and one woman. These religions that cherish these values include Catholic, Christian, Jewish and Muslim.

The lawmaker was responding to the news that a coalition of gay-rights groups were consolidating their efforts to successfully legalize gay marriage this year. Cuomo himself has said he wants to legalize gay marriage by the end of the current legislative session.

Timing for Diaz, apparently, is everything. The statement issue this afternoon was familiar to what he said this time last year in response to news that then-Gov. David Paterson’s plans to introduce a gay marriage bill. Last year, Diaz said he was ready to call an emergency session of the New York Hispanic Clergy, saying, “I think this is the wrong time to do it,” Diaz Sr. said. “(Paterson) is doing this as a welcoming ceremony for the new Catholic? It’s ridiculous.”

The full Diaz statement is after the jump:

New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) has released the following statement in response to news reports of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s excessive pressure to mobilize elected officials to legalize homosexual marriage in New York State:
“I am deeply offended that during this Holy Week, which is a most sacred time to millions of New Yorkers, Governor Andrew Cuomo is working hard to mobilize elected officials to legalize homosexual marriage in New York.
We all know that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget, which was done in haste to beat the clock, will cause tremendous suffering to countless New Yorkers – especially Black and Hispanic communities. His cuts will hurt students, senior citizens, the sick, the poor and the needy.
Now Governor Cuomo is targeting communities of faith in an effort to redefine marriage. The most basic tenets of New York’s largest faith communities include defining marriage as between one man and one woman. These religions that cherish these values include Catholic, Christian, Jewish and Muslim.
I must ask, if Governor Cuomo is ethically allowed to use public resources during these serious financial times to raise funds (by having his staff raise money) and to use his staff (who are paid for with tax dollars) and his office (for weekly meetings) to promote a radical agenda, then shouldn’t we all be able to use our offices and staffs to raise resources for issues that matter to us?
I implore my colleagues in New York’s government and my fellow religious leaders in New York State to oppose Governor Cuomo’s blatant and shameful attack on New York’s people of faith. I encourage all New Yorkers of faith to raise your voices in prayer and in action to prevent Governor Cuomo from redefining marriage.”

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