Catholic Portugal set to legalise gay marriage

[demoleft]

Source: afp

AFP - Catholic Portugal, traditionally one of Europe's most socially conservative countries, is expected to approve the legalisation of gay marriage on Friday with a minimum of fuss.

With the governing Socialists and other left-wing parties enjoying a strong majority, the new law is likely to sail through the first reading debate and gain final approval before a visit by Pope Benedict XVI, due in Portugal in May.

In contrast to Spain, where the lead-up to the legalisation of gay marriage in 2005 brought hundreds of thousands of demonstrators onto the streets, the bill in Portugal has provoked only muted opposition even from the right.

While normally vocal on the role of marriage and the family in society, the Catholic Church has refused to mobilise on a subject which, according to Lisbon's Cardinal Patriarch Jose Policarpo, is "parliament's responsibility".


Read more: http://www.france24.com/en/20100106-catholic-portugal-set-legalise-gay-marriage

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good news.

[Warpy]

1. Wow, Just wow.

Pope Ratz is going to be mighty upset about that.

It's funny how majority Catholic states are turning out to be so liberal.

Hell, my own state of NM, heavily Catholic, has just abolished the death penalty. It's still the wild west out here, so that is really remarkable.

I do love Catholics. I've just always despised the church hierarchy.

[MindandSoul]

2. Catholicism in Europe is not as "narrow minded" as in the U.S.

I was raised a Catholic in Europe, in fact, my country of origin's recognized religion is Catholicism. . .and I was in a Catholic school for 12 years. But I have never noticed as much "prejudice" and attachment to "man made" dogmas as I have here in the U.S.
I also spent 2 months each year (Summer vacation) in Portugal while growing up. . .and I can confirm that Portugal is VERY Catholic, even in Europe!

But once again, there doesn't seem to be that strict attachment to dogmas, or hair splitting over the teaching of the Church!

I have always wonder if it is precisely because those countries are for a large majority Catholic (basically, until recently, in most Continental Europe one is Catholic or nothing!). It seems that, being more secure in their "national" religion, there is no need to "compete" with other "flavor" of Christianity. . .there is no reason to be "holier than the Pope!"

And I like it that way!
Bravo to Portugal, and Belgium, and Holland in recognizing gay marriage!. . .and still being able to follow the religion of their choice.

[Deep13]

4. True. Just look at the French. nt

[David__77]

15. I disagree.

On the contrary, most nominal Catholics in Spain and Portugal are quite secular and simply do not agree with the church. The residue of the church's support for the countries' fascist dictatorships run deep.

[Deep13]

3. Huzzah! Another European country is catching up to Iowa.

:headbang:

[krispos42]

5. So they've legalized recreational drugs and gay marriage in Portugal.

Wow. Excellent.

[Jamastiene]

6. Is it just me or is there a big difference between what counts as liberal in America

and what counts as liberal in the rest of the world?

It looks like liberal as defined in America is not quite as liberal as defined in the rest of the world.

[Rebubula]

7. Awesome

I will NEVER understand why anyone has any problem with anyone else falling in love and getting the same legal protections as anyone else. OK...that was a bit wordy....

A person's love (consenting adults) is the business of no one else.

[fascisthunter]

8. wow... would he be excommunicated for doing so?

[CatholicEdHead]

9. Good for Portugal

[Odin2005]

10. So is Ratzi the Nazi going to put Portugal under an Interdict?

[closeupready]

11. That's terrific. I knew a guy long ago who had fled Portugal for France, as

at the time, Portugal was very homophobic. Glad to hear things have changed. :)

[Vidar]

12. Bravo Portugal!.

[Mari333]

13. and once again , another nation moves forward past the USA

knr

[Bluebear]

14. Portugal. More progressive than the US.

[defendandprotect]

16. Amazing what happens when the Church isn't running an active Inquisition . . . !!!

People just .... walk away into freedom --!!

"You can find happiness above, below or around religion ---

but not through it" -- Thomas Jefferson

[David__77]

17. Thank you to the progressive parties of Portugal!

Socialist


Communist-Green


Leftist Bloc