NEW YORK (CNA/EWTN News) — Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn said Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York state Legislature have “deconstructed the most important institution in human history.”

The New York Legislature passed the same-sex “marriage” bill on June 24 by a 33-29 vote.

Bishop DiMarzio joined his fellow state bishops in opposing the measure in a joint statement.

In a separate statement the Brooklyn bishop said Cuomo “has opened a new front in the culture wars that are tearing at the fabric of our nation.”

“Republicans and Democrats equally share responsibility for this ruinous legislation, and we as Catholics should hold all accountable for their actions,” he added.

An amendment to the same-sex “marriage” bill granted some religious freedom protections to religious groups, but not to those working in wedding-related industries.

New York Catholic Conference director Dennis Poust told EWTN News June 15 that if the bill passed “there is very little that can be done,” since New York does not have a system of voter initiatives and referenda like California and some other states.

In protest of the decision and the “corrupt political process in New York state,” Bishop DiMarzio said he has asked all Catholic schools to refuse any distinction or honors granted by the governor or any member of the Legislature who voted to support the legislation. He has also asked all pastors and school principals not to invite any state legislator to speak or be present at any parish or school celebration.

The bishop said that the governor and the Legislature have “demonized people of faith” and “identified them as bigots and prejudiced.”

“It is mystifying that this bill would be passed on the last day of an extended session under the cover of darkness,” he said.

The bishop added in an editorial in the New York Daily News, “That there was virtually no public debate on the issue and that the entire matter was concluded in just over thirty-minutes late on a Friday evening is disgraceful.”