'Christians oppose gay marriage'

2006-05-13 22:46

Vatican City - Pope Benedict renewed his attack on gay marriage on Saturday, saying Christians must defend traditional heterosexual marriage as a "pillar of humanity" benefiting Christians and non-Christians.

Addressing the ponitifical council for the family, Benedict called on the faithful to stand up for traditional notions of marriage and procreation in the face of moves to recognise gay marriage.

Benedict said: "Such a witness can only stimulate politicians and legislators to safeguard the rights of the family.

"It's well known that legal solutions like so-called 'civil unions' are gaining ever greater acceptance, while they exclude the responsibilities of marriage, they claim the same rights.

"Sometimes, there is the wish even to change the definition of marriage to legalise homosexual unions, granting them the right to adopt children."

The comments are stronger than remarks Benedict made two days ago.

Parliament divided on issue

The remarks were criticised by some members of Italy's incoming centre-left government as unwanted interference in a political issue.

Franco Grillini, Italian MP and honorary chairman of Italy's gay rights movement Arcigay, said: "The Church's interventions (on gay couples) are now becoming daily and really do represent a crusade on parliament and lawmakers, aimed at blocking any discussion of the rights of new couples."

Centre-left leader Romano Prodi, to be appointed prime minister next week, included a promise to legally recognise civil unions in his election manifesto.

He stopped short, however, of introducing gay marriage and allowing same-sex couples to adopt.

His coalition is split on the issue, however, with some wanting greater rights for gay couples and some opposed to the move.

"In parliament there's a cross-party majority to stop this secular attack on the institution of family based on marriage between man and woman," said Clemente Mastella, leader of the UDEUR, a small Christian Democrat group in Prodi's coalition.

Gay unions are legal in several European countries, including traditionally Catholic Spain.

- Reuters