Italian Catholic Church lays out antigay agenda

[davidinalameda]

http://www.advocate.com/letters_detail_ektid21030.asp

When Italy's most influential cardinal received an award recently, he was heckled by a group of students opposed to his stand against full legal rights for unmarried couples. "Shame! Shame!" the students shouted at Cardinal Camillo Ruini, holding up posters reading "Free love in a free state" and "We're all homosexuals."

It was a remarkable display—not just because cardinals are rarely booed in Italy. The students' anger was a measure of how the Roman Catholic Church has regained its role as a powerful force in Italy's political debate, weighing in on hot campaign issues and forcing politicians to take a stand ahead of general elections next year. "Certainly it is one of the periods of maximum mobilization of the church," Vatican expert Andrea Tornielli said Monday. "I believe the church is worried that the traditional family based on marriage is attacked and weakened through legislation."

[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. I think this is a big mistake.

The world will reject a neo-Inquisition.

[Missy M]

2. The Catholic church should stay out of politics no matter which...

country it is. Forcing politicians to take a stand on the Catholic doctrine is not what the church should be about. The church should be strictly for spiritual guidance, nothing else.

[davidinalameda]

3. remember how strong of a cultural influence the church still has in Italy

and the church won't give that up without a fight