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Pope: No gay marriage
negotiations
30 Mar 2006-
The Church’s position on gay marriage is “non negotiable,” according to
the Pope.
Pope Benedict XVI has launched a fresh attack on gay marriage and
abortion just days before national elections in Italy, stating the
Vatican’s right to speak out on difficult issues.
He took the opportunity to air his views at a meeting of Christian
democratic political parties, where he spoke of the Church’s obligation
to recognise and promote the “natural structure of the family as a union
between a man and a woman.”
The pontiff called all other views harmful and vowed to oppose them.
His comments were criticised by opposition Italian parties and gay
groups as an unnecessary interference in politics. Daniele Capezzone of
the leftist Rose In the Fist party, told Reuters, “It is ever more clear
the Church hierarchy have decided to jump in to the election campaign.”
A gay member of the Democrats of the Left, Franco Grillini, said: "It is
people who decide whether their relationships constitute a family ...
Not everyone shares the Pope's point of view."
The Pope stated the Church was "enlightening consciences". He said:
"Your support for Christian heritage ... can contribute significantly to
the defeat of a culture that is now fairly widespread in Europe, which
relegates (religion) to the private and subjective sphere."
Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini defended the remarks, "This
controversy is unfounded and out of place."
"Who can argue with the Holy Father's moral and religious authority to
defend values and concepts that are fundamental to Church doctrine."
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