IN A NEW Year’s address, Pope Benedict made some of his strongest comments against abortion and a not-so-subtle indictment of gay marriage.
Speaking to an audience of the diplomatic corp, the Pope criticised Western policies that “undermine the family” and threaten ”the future of humanity”.
Although he did not mention gay marriage, Reuters reports that his veiled reference to such policies were his strongest condemnation of same-sex unions to date.
He told representatives from 179 countries that children need proper settings and that the family unit is fundamental for the education process.
…Education needs settings. Among these, 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.”
He went on to say that any policies which undermine such a family threaten humanity.
The head of the Catholic church made specific reference to human embryonic stem cells, “noting with satisfaction” the Court of Justice of the European Union ban on patenting processes and the Council of Europe’s condemnation of prenatal selection on the basis of sex.
There were also strong comments against abortion:
More generally, and with particular reference to the West, I am convinced that legislative measures which not only permit but at times even promote abortion for reasons of convenience or for questionable medical motives compromise the education of young people and, as a result, the future of humanity.”
Global crises
During the annual address at the Vatican, Pope Benedict said that the present moment is “sadly marked” by the “profound disquiet” of the world’s various economic, political and social crises.
Commenting on the Arab Spring and the continued unrest in the Middle East he said: “It seems evident to me that the best way to move forward is through the recognition of the inalienable dignity of each human person and of his or her fundamental rights.”
Singling out Syria, the Pope prayed for a “rapid end to the bloodshed and the beginning of a fruitful dialogue between the political forces”.
Benedict also remembered the “numerous victims” of religiously-motivated terrorism, mentioning attacks in Pakistan and Nigeria.
In another criticism of liberal policies he noted countries where “we see policies aimed at marginalising the role of religion in the life of society, as if it were a cause of intolerance rather than a valued contribution to education in respect for human dignity, justice and peace.”
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