Ahead of a historic visit to the U.K.,
Pope Benedict XVI reiterates the church's opposition to gay marriage.
The pope reiterated that the Roman
Catholic Church is opposed to laws that allow gay and lesbian couples
to marry.
“[T]he Church sees with concern the
growing attempt to eliminate the Christian concept of marriage and
family from the consciousness of society,” he told an audience
while receiving Germany's new envoy to the Holly See. “Marriage is
manifested as a lasting union of love between a man and a woman.”
“The Church cannot approve of
legislative initiatives that involve a re-evaluation of alternative
models of married life and family. They contribute to the weakening
of the principles of natural law and … also to confusion about
society's values.”
Several Catholic strongholds have
recently legalized gay marriage over the strong objections of the
church, including Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Mexico, where the
country recognizes the gay marriages formed in Mexico City. More
Latin American countries are expected to debate the issue this fall.
The Holy Father travels to England on
September 16 for a four-day visit.
Benedict's remarks so close to his
visit are certain to be heard by gay activists who are planning a
number of events during his visit.
The Lesbian
and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) is holding a September 17
prayer vigil that, according to the group, will allow the pope to see
the faces of those he has spoken against.
And the Protest
the Pope coalition is organizing a variety of noisy
demonstrations against the pope.