Pope: Change in morals on marriage has caused ‘devastation’
The Pope has declared that marriage between a man and a woman is ‘in crisis’ during a speech to an interfaith conference on ‘traditional marriage’.
The Catholic leader today opened the ‘Complementary of Man and Woman’ conference, which brings together religious leaders from across different faiths who oppose same-sex marriage.
Bizarrely, he did not explicitly reference same-sex marriage by name in his speech – but instead referred to ominous threats facing the marriage of “man and woman”, and warned that a degradation of “morals” was causing “devastation”.
He said: “It is fitting that you have gathered here in this international colloquium to explore the complementarity of man and woman.
“We know that today marriage and the family are in crisis.
“We now live in a culture of the temporary, in which more and more people are simply giving up on marriage as a public commitment.
“This revolution in manners and morals has often flown the flag of freedom, but in fact it has brought spiritual and material devastation to countless human beings, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
“Do not fall into the trap of being swayed by political notion. Family is an anthropological fact – a socially and culturally related fact.
“I pray that your colloquium will be an inspiration to all who seek to support and strengthen the union of man and woman in marriage as a unique, natural, fundamental and beautiful good for persons, communities, and whole societies.”
His organisation, the Family Research Council, is listed as an active anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Centre, and has been condemned by Jewish groups for repeatedly comparing gay rights to the Holocaust.
Perkins said after the speech: “Conservatives concerned about where The Pope is headed on marriage will be encouraged by his address today.”
