“In an apparent response” to "an open letter to Cardinal O’Malley and the Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts, accusing them of “promoting prejudice,” " sent by a group for gay marriage, “Gov. Mitt Romney held a press conference with traditional marriage supporters including Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley at the Statehouse on June 28”. In the press release, “Cardinal O’Malley said that society has a duty to pass on a strong institution of marriage for the good of future generations. The optimal place for children is a family of a father and mother in a permanent, loving, committed relationship which deserves to be protected by the state, he said. " “To redefine marriage as merely an arrangement among adults undermines the family and will have serious consequences in our future,” he added.”