Manila archbishop frets on same-sex marriage

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales voiced worry Tuesday over the legalization of same-sex marriage in other parts of the world. Rosales also voiced opposition to advocacies aiming to give same-sex couples many of the rights that heterosexual couples presently enjoy. "Same-sex marriage proponents are acting like they know everything. That's not the plan of God but of the people," Rosales said in interview over Church-run Radyo Veritas. Excerpts of the interview were posted Tuesday on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website. Rosales said same-sex unions go against the basic purpose of marriage, to produce children. Giving them the same legal status as married spouses "violates" divine law, he said. The prelate, who also chairs the Episcopal Commission on Clergy of the CBCP, said marriage is to be confined to a man and woman in holy matrimony. On the other hand, he also expressed concern that same-sex marriage is already legal in other countries. At least five countries have legalized same-sex marriage. These include South Africa, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. California in the United States is still in the process of debating on whether to allow it or not. In the Philippines, some homosexual organizations are also calling for the legalization of same-sex union. But Rosales said that no matter how proponents of same-sex marriage would put it, it still would offend humanity and society. "Whatever happened to it (same-sex union proposal), I am sure it will cause social rift. It's likely to benefit some, but that's not the normal circle of life," Rosales said. - GMANews.TV