Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday threw his support behind a huge pro-family rally in Madrid in what was the latest in a recent series of widely reported comments he has made on traditional marriage and human sexuality. “Dear families, do not allow love, openness to life and the incomparable bonds that unite your families to become distorted,” he said in Spanish during the midday Angelus from his window overlooking St Peter’s Square at the Vatican. The message was broadcast live to Madrid where hundreds of thousands of Catholics joined Cardinal Antonio MarÃa Rouco Varela at an outdoor Mass. The purpose was to support traditional marriage in the face of the Socialist Government’s liberal reforms, including legalised same-sex marriage, quicker divorces and easier abortions.
“The Pope is by your side,” Benedict XVI told the Catholic Spaniards on the Feast of the Holy Family. Cardinal Rouco avoided criticising the Spanish Government at the Mass, following reports that Pope Benedict had asked the Spanish bishops to be less confrontational.
The Pope also urged Catholics at his Angelus to pray for the Fourth World Meeting of Families, which is to take place 14-18 January in Mexico City.
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Robert Mickens: Pope focuses on marriage and the family in key Christmas addresses
Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday threw his support behind a huge pro-family rally in Madrid in what was the latest in a recent series of widely reported comments he has made on traditional marriage and human sexuality. “Dear families, do not allow love, openness to life and the incomparable bonds that unite your families to become distorted,” he said in Spanish during the midday Angelus from his window overlooking St Peter’s Square at the Vatican. The message was broadcast live to Madrid where hundreds of thousands of Catholics joined Cardinal Antonio MarÃa Rouco Varela at an outdoor Mass. The purpose was to support traditional marriage in the face of the Socialist Government’s liberal reforms, including legalised same-sex marriage, quicker divorces and easier abortions.
“The Pope is by your side,” Benedict XVI told the Catholic Spaniards on the Feast of the Holy Family. Cardinal Rouco avoided criticising the Spanish Government at the Mass, following reports that Pope Benedict had asked the Spanish bishops to be less confrontational.
The Pope also urged Catholics at his Angelus to pray for the Fourth World Meeting of Families, which is to take place 14-18 January in Mexico City.
Read it all.