May 13th, 2010
The Pope isn’t so fond of you.
His Holiness is in Portugal to observe the 93rd anniversary of the Virgin Mary appearing to poor shepherd children in Fatima. And he’s using this opportunity to rail at the Portuguese for allowing civil marriages to include those of which his church disapproves. (NYTimes)
In a speech here to Catholic social service groups, Benedict called for initiatives aimed at protecting “the family based on the indissoluble marriage between a man and a woman, help to respond to some of today’s most insidious and dangerous threats to the common good.”
This was addressed not only at same-sex marriage, but Papa Razti was also objecting to recent divorce laws.
But purely from a pragmatic perspective, it might do the Pope more benefit to focus on people’s spiritual condition rather than the extent to which European nations allow him to have veto power over their laws. His political campaign isn’t working out so well.
Although it is 90 percent Catholic, Portugal has seen a notable shift away from Catholic teaching in recent years. The country legalized abortion in 2008 and its Parliament recently approved a bill permitting same-sex marriage. President AnÃbal Cavaco Silva is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming weeks.
The Church has opposed the measure, but Portuguese society appears to be largely supportive of it. Portugal would be the sixth country in Europe to legalize same-sex marriage, after the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Norway and Sweden.
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Paul in Canada
May 13th, 2010
Expect the rhetoric, and volume of same, to increase steadily over the next several months.
This happens when one suddenly realizes ones redundancy.
Candace
May 13th, 2010
What a coincedence… I’m not so fond of him, either.
paul j stein
May 13th, 2010
He may want to have a speedy exit planned if they run His Holiness’ ass out of town on a rail due to his ex-Nazi youth past and protecting pedophile priests. The Portuguese don’t take kindly to outsiders telling them whats what!
Lindoro Almaviva
May 13th, 2010
so lemme get this :straight”:
2 men or 2 women getting married is a horrible thing and surely a sign that the end is near. After this, surely there will be earthquakes, tsunamis and the sun will refuse to shine…
Priests abusing children and the church cooperating in an elaborate cover up that spans both decades and continents… That is OK, right Papa Ratzi?
Paul in Canada
May 14th, 2010
For a really good history on the social changes that brought about same-sex marriage in Canada, go to:
http://archives.cbc.ca/politics/rights_freedoms/topics/538/
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