French cardinal speaks out against same-sex marriage, notes steps towards ‘barbarism’
November 05, 2012
Addressing the bishops of France, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois of Paris called for opposition to the proposed legalization of same-sex marriage in France.
“Contrary to what is presented to us, the draft law on marriage is not simply a generous opening of marriage to new classes of citizens; it is a transformation of marriage that affects everyone,” he said. “It would not be ‘marriage for all’ (a strange slogan that should probably not be taken literally!). This would be the marriage of some imposed on all. The consequences for marital status are sufficiently eloquent: has anyone asked citizens if they agreed to no longer be the father or mother of their child and become a parent undifferentiated relative A or parent B?”
Stating this opposition to same-sex marriage is not a sectarian Catholic issue, the cardinal said that “the social function of marriage does not depend on any religion.”
“It is important to remember a number of fundamental rights, which are the result of the accumulated wisdom of our civilization that marked its gradual exit from barbarism,” he added. These rights, he said, include the right to life of all persons, including the human embryo; and the right to know one’s parents and be raised by them--a right denied by some artificial reproductive technologies.
“Every child has the right to be educated,” he added. “This obligation rests primarily on parents who are primarily responsible for the education of their children.”
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Further information:
- Discours D’Ouverture Du Cardinal André Vingt-Trois Lors De L’assemblée Plénière Des Évêques À Lourdes (Archdiocese of Paris)
- French left hits back at Church over same-sex marriage (Reuters)
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Posted by: jacquebquique5708 -
Nov. 05, 2012 6:04 PM ET USA
America is a baby at 250 years old. France extends back to the Roman occupation. In fact, the tribes in the area suppressed by the Romans were the Germania which is loosely translated as barbarians. We in America have been insulated into not understanding just what barbarism means. A great deal of that confusion comes from the Protestant Reformation which was an intellectual form of rebellion which did not face the earthiness of barbarism. The US is barbaric and we label it as sophistication.
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Posted by: joancollins507161 -
Nov. 05, 2012 6:01 PM ET USA
The Cardinal speaks wisely. I have often thought that the world is becoming more pagan and therefore less compassionate. However, the common argument is that Catholics want to return everyone to the "Dark Ages" and that we should keep up with the times.
