14/5/10
The Pope has condemned gay marriage and abortion as “among the most insidious and dangerous challenges” to society, as Portugal prepares to legalise same-sex partnerships next week. He described abortion as a “tragedy” and said the family was based “on the indissoluble marriage between a man and a woman”, receiving a standing ovation from church and lay social workers yesterday. Benedict also criticised Catholics “ashamed” of their faith and too willing to “lend a hand to secularism”. Ninety per cent of Portuguese define themselves as Catholic, but Portugal’s society is increasingly secular, with far fewer than a third saying they attend mass regularly.
Tags: Christianity, Homosexuality