Pope reiterates condemnation of gay marriage

Miami Herald ^ | 3-1-04 | THE VATICAN

[Indy Pendance]

Pope John Paul says same-sex unions degrade marriage, adding that authorities in North America and Europe, particularly Catholic ones, must defend true marriage.

VATICAN CITY - (AP) -- Pope John Paul II again stressed his opposition to gay unions Saturday, saying they ''degrade'' the true sense of marriage between man and woman. He urged Catholic and non-Catholic authorities alike to stop approving them.

It was the second time in a week that John Paul has raised the issue, which is making headlines in the United States as a national debate rages stemming from a decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court that prohibiting same-sex marriages violates that state's constitution.

In his comments, John Paul said a family based on marriage between man and woman was a pillar of society that justly had rights and duties specific to it.

''This is a time in which there is no lack of attempts to reduce marriage to a mere individual contract, with characteristics very different from those that belong to marriage and the family, and that end up degrading it as if it were a form of accessory association within the social body,'' he said.

John Paul urged all public authorities, but particularly Catholic ones, to stop approving such laws, saying they shouldn't contribute to legislation that is contrary to ``the primary and essential norms that regulate moral life.''

Authorities must instead protect laws that favor the family ''knowing that they promote a social development that is just, stable and promising,'' he said.

The pope made the comments as the new ambassador of Argentina to the Holy See presented his credentials. In 2002, Buenos Aires passed a law extending certain civil rights like health insurance and pension rights to same-sex couples -- the first Latin American city to adopt such a measure.

Last year, the Vatican launched a global campaign against gay marriages in a bid to stem the tide of widening legal recognition for same-sex unions in Europe, North America and elsewhere.

John Paul has pressed his point on several occasions since then, most recently on Thursday when he called for the support of the ''authentic'' Christian family, which he defined as based on marriage between man and woman.

[Lucky Dog]

Well, John Kerry, what about it? Either you are a good Catholic or a hypocrit, which is it?

[bobo1]

Well, that is a rhetorical question.

Without a doubt, Hanoi John Fonda Eff'n Kerry is a Hypocite.

I await the time that the "Pubs" will call liars, liars, hypocrites, hypocrites, and DemoncRats, Rats.

No sense beating around the bush. The Bush needs to beat them.

Blessings, bobo

[EdReform]

Ping

What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda

Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1)

The Stamp of Normality

[Reelect President Dubya]

I pray that Mel Gibon's next movie is "Sodom and Gomorrah."

That'll get 'em all stirred up.

[Lucky Dog]

I await the time that the "Pubs" will call liars, liars, hypocrites, hypocrites, and DemoncRats, Rats.

Unfortunately, you may be waiting a long time. It takes intestinal fortitude that seems to be in short supply in the Republican Party.

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping.

Of course, the Pope is right, and not only is the family based on the marriage of a man and a woman the Christian family, it is the natural human family - by design.

Want on or off this ping list? Pingify me!

[kpp_kpp]

I just checked my Webster's Dictionary in case I had missed something.

Marriage (n) the institution under which a man and a woman become legally united on a permanent basis.

Talking about "Gay Marriage" is like talking about the 7-foot midget (no offense), there is no such thing. What is there to debate? What is there for courts to decide?

We are all fools for even debating it, we've been suckered in to their scheme.

[EdReform]

Ping list missing ping! :o)

[little jeremiah]

Thanks - (turning red...)

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda ping list, properly done this time.

[OMalley]

***I pray that Mel Gibon's next movie is "Sodom and Gomorrah."

That'll get 'em all stirred up.***

LOL, a full scale meltdown!

[scripter]

Homosexual Agenda ping list, properly done this time.

This is going on your permanent record and EdReform and I will discuss it at your next review. ;-)

[scripter]

I pray that Mel Gibon's next movie is "Sodom and Gomorrah."

That's a very good idea! Somebody write Gibson and pass the idea along.

[steve-b]

He urged Catholic and non-Catholic authorities alike

Er, why exactly does he expect the latter to pay any attention to him?

[little jeremiah]

Oh No!! Not the Permanent Record!

[Screams recede into the distance....]

If this is my worst offense, I'm doing all right.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, the worst is yet to come. Like the rude things I've been saying when it gets after 1 AM.

[EdReform]

This is just the tip of the iceberg, the worst is yet to come. Like the rude things I've been saying when it gets after 1 AM.

Go carefully, my FRiend! We need you here!

[little jeremiah]

Did you see the rude things? I've let a few slip out lately. Late at night my mind gets a little slack
;-)

I couldn't get banned! I would go crazy~!

[EdReform]

Nah, unfortunately I can't get to all the posts and replies - I really need to get off of a few of the other ping lists I'm on...

[jwalsh07]

The Pope needs to read the riot act to the Bishops who in turn read the riot act to the Pastors who in turn inform their parishoners that Homosexual unions are incompatible with Catholicism.