The U.S. Supreme Court today struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, ruling it unconstitutional.

DOMA, as it is called, recognized marriage as a union of one man and one woman when it was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996. It denies federal benefits to same-sex partners who are legally married in states where same-sex marriage is permitted.

CatholicPhilly.com will post a full story on the ruling soon.