Bishops to meet, map campaign to support Pope’s stand vs gay marriage

Philippine Catholic bishops will convene soon to map out a campaign to bolster Pope Benedict XVI's stand against same-sex marriages.

 

"It is expected of us ... to likewise oppose any plan to legalize same sex 'marriage' in this country," said Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president Jose Palma in an article posted Wednesday night on the Union of Catholic Asian News website.

 

The announcement was made during the installation of new Capiz Archbishop Jose Advincula.

 

Although there was no specified date for the meeting, he said the bishops will have to meet soon following Benedict XVI's recent strong comments against gay unions.

 

Addressing diplomats from nearly 180 countries, the Pope said that "pride of place goes to the family, based on the marriage of a man and a woman."

 

"This is not a simple social convention, but rather the fundamental cell of every society. Consequently, policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself," said the Pope in his annual "State of the World" address on January 9.

 

Recently, the Catholic Church opposed an anti-discrimination bill in Congress, arguing it would lead to same sex marriages.

 

But the UCAN article also noted the gay rights movement has been slowly making headway in the Philippines with the participation of a gay and lesbian party in 2010 elections.

 

It added "unofficial" same-sex marriages are being conducted in Baguio City and in some tourist resorts, officiated by Christian gay priests. Fr. Dave Clay, assistant executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission for Family and Life told "News to Go" Thursday that "if too many people believe in same-sex marriage, then it becomes a threat to humanity." –CGL/KG, GMA News