Posted on 12/19/2004 11:12:34 AM PST by NYer
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul (news - web sites) on Saturday condemned same sex marriage as an attack on the fabric of society and called on Catholics to combat what he said was aggressive attempt to legally undermine the family. "Attacks on marriage and the family, from an ideological and legal aspect, are becoming stronger and more radical every day," the 84-year old pontiff said in the unusually strong statement.
"Who destroys this fundamental fabric causes a profound injury to society and provokes often irreparable damage."
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage between a man and a women is sacred and that homosexuality is a sin.
That stance has been under pressure in some of its core constituencies, including the United States and Catholic Spain where the socialist government in October approved a controversial draft law to legalize gay unions.
But a counterattack has begun. In the United States, President Bush (news - web sites) was swept back to power in the November elections with help from U.S. evangelicals and Catholics who agree with the Pope.
Votes for Bush included solid support from the religious right and his win was interpreted by some as a victory for conservative Christians on issues like gay rights and abortion.
The Polish Pope on Saturday also condemned abortion, artificial procreation and equal status for cohabiting couples as undermining the marital state.
"These things that are presented as civilized progress or scientific conquests, in many cases are in fact a defeat for the dignity of human life and for society," his statement read.
People who thinks that Pope will be ever war tomahawk should really think out why the hell they think so? IMO he shouldn’t be, mix of religion and war isn’t health, ask some Muslims.
The Pope didn't help me with poland, it was his country. He should have done the same with Iraq.
The Pope has been involved with war and peace since Atilla The Hun.
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
I dont understand your hostility. Weird.
Well even if you would really want to stay in dark ages like some Muslims, time and civilization will go on
This is a most unusual analogy. Traditional Catholics being compared to moslims? I dont think so.
God didn't create marriage between a man and a woman only for the sake of society, but also, and more importantly, to show to all creation an aspect of His own character.
We tamper with that at our own peril.
"The pope would rather show sympathy with faux catholics like kerry."
Don't know what you are talking about, and I don't think you do either. Evidentally, you are not Catholic.
It is not the vocation of the Roman Pontiff to lobby for political parties during elections. The Catholic world, believe it or not, does not revolve around the U.S.
"Well, I can't say that the Pope and I have nothing at all in common anymore, eh?"
And that is certainly the most important thing, I am sure. Perhaps you should let him know, and then maybe he can change his ways to be like yours?
You misunderstand.
By the way, how did you find freerepublic?
I searching something by Google.
"Kerry lost the Catholic vote and he would lost even more had the pope acted."
And once again, I didn't think it was the Pope's vocation to encourage people who to vote for. Perhaps you are mistaking him for a political ruler, but you really misunderstand the function of the papacy.
Get over it already, 'K. You are showing your ignorance to LOTS of people here.
No, I think you are. If The Pope espoused the correct values, then we would have had 75% go for Bush instead of 52%.
Btw, if you live in the NE, when is the last time you heard about abortion during the homily.
Kool. The US has no better friend than Poland right now and that probably includes the UK too.
"Btw, if you live in the NE, when is the last time you heard about abortion during the homily."
Staying on topic is difficult, isn't it?
I do not live in the Northeast. I primarily attend the Traditional Latin Mass 3 of 4 Sundays. I hear about abortion all the time. We homeschool. I have 9 children. I have read Dignitatis Humanae, Evangelium Vitae and all the rest.
Now, when was the last time you heard a homily (and applied it) about the Church's primary task to lead souls to heaven: NOT to become overly involved in individual companies' political processes? Why do you need to hear a homily on abortion? Aren't you against already anyway? What do YOU NEED to hear a sermon on? Presumption? Rash judgment?
No thats you. Your posts are exhibit one of why the libs dont want us to homeschool.
I go to spanish mass with the 'little people'. Beleive me, most up here need to hear about abortion.
Thanks for the gratituus attack when you are clueless about me.
With friendly coming our own, there wont be anything left for libs.
"No thats you. Your posts are exhibit one of why the libs dont want us to homeschool.
"I go to spanish mass with the 'little people'. Beleive me, most up here need to hear about abortion."
Oh, now it's crystal clear!!! Whatever you do, do not address the topic. Keep on shifting from one to the next to the next.
By the way, we have many Hispanics at our Latin Mass. In fact, our Mass is the only truly "inclusive" one because we don't have it set up for whites only or Hispanics only, in our own little segregated ghettos, so the two will NEVER intermingle. Funny how the Latin Mass is a unifying force that way. Funny how the homeschool families are the only ones who attend the Our Lady of Guadalupe festivities, and do Our Lady of Guadalupe plays (after the Latin Mass), and then all the rest are Hispanics.
Funny, isn't it? I've had enough as you obviously don't want to address any topic brought to your attention.
By the way, as a reminder, the Pope's vocation is not to influence elections. His concerns are of a far longer lasting nature than silly politics.
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