On Wednesday, the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte made its stance on marriage clear.

President Barack Obama spoke out against a plan to define marriage in North Carolina's constitution last week.

In reaction, the diocese sent a letter to thousands of registered participants of Catholic Voice North Carolina encouraging the opposite.

A vote “yes” for Amendment One in North Carolina means you agree -- marriage in the state should be between one man and one woman.

Right now, gay marriage is banned in North Carolina, but the amendment would make it official in the state constitution.

“It puts it out of the reach of both the legislature and the judges,” said David Haines, director of communications for the Diocese of Charlotte.

The Catholic Diocese of Charlotte said it's disappointed President Barack Obama stepped into state politics.

“Marriage, in a way, is under assault,” Haines said. “The culture wars are very active in our society right now.”

Haines said the diocese standpoint is not saying no to gay marriage -- it's saying yes to traditional families.

“People who are for traditional marriage are not in any way discriminating against anyone else,” he said.

Kelly Berry works with Protect All North Carolina Families.

“This is just putting discrimination in our constitution,” she said. “That's not what the constitution is for.”

The group Berry works with is calling voters and putting up signs to encourage people to vote no to Amendment One.

“I definitely feel this amendment is unconstitutional,” Berry said.

She thinks even if Amendment One passes, courts will overturn it, pointing to similar cases in other states, like Proposition Eight in California.

Amendment One will be on the state ballot May 8.

More information:
Read the proposed amendment