From Reuters today:
Pope Benedict, in his first clear pronouncement on gay marriages since his election, on Monday condemned same-sex unions as fake and expressions of “anarchic freedom” that threatened the future of the family.
The Pope, who was elected in April, also condemned divorce, artificial birth control, trial marriages and free-style unions, saying all of these practices were dangerous for the family.
“Today’s various forms of dissolution of marriage, free unions, trial marriages as well as the pseudo-matrimonies between people of the same sex are instead expressions of anarchic freedom which falsely tries to pass itself off as the true liberation of man,” he said.
My reaction: Thank God for Benedict. His ideas and leadership are well-needed in today’s climate of moral decay. And, I think it’s great that he not only condemned “gay marriage”, but also other issues that are harmful to the family: including divorce , which is so prevalent among heterosexual couples, and birth control, which is so prevalent among heterosexuals (both couples and single people). It is great that he is putting the “hot topic” of “homosexual marriage” in the proper context, making it consistent with all church teachings that deal with sexuality, reproduction, and the family.