Church in Spain assailed for opposing homosexual “marriages”
MADRID, Spain, JULY 30, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The president of the Spanish episcopal conference said that the national legislature “goes beyond its limits” if it impedes the preaching of the Word of God.
In this case, Cardinal Antonio Rouco was referring to the Church’s opposition to so-called homosexual marriage, which is favored by the new Spanish government.
Cardinal Rouco made his comment today during an address delivered at the Escorial, in the wake of the government’s criticism of the Church’s stance, the Veritas agency reported.
The government opposed the Note published by the bishops’ Executive Committee “on true marriage.”
Cardinal Rouco, the archbishop of Madrid, said he does not think “the Church went beyond the limits” of its functions when expressing itself in the democratic context.
The Andalusian Federation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Associations presented a brief urging the attorney general’s office to “promote the action of justice” and investigate a possible crime of “homophobia” by the bishops’ conference for having taught Church doctrine, the ABC newspaper reported today.
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Jacobse | Uncategorized |
This is actually a cautionary tale for churches in the United States: If you don’t want the government telling you what do do, don’t take its money. As the NY Times article referenced below describes, the Catholic Church in Spain received $170 million last year in government subsidies. So naturally the government now feels it is somewhat justified in regulating the churches policies.
“Spain Considers Financing for Major Religions”, August 3, 2004, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/03/international/asia/03spai.html?pagewanted=all&position=
The Spanish government is considering subsidizing Islamic mosques, as well, to make them less dependent on money from militant groups abroad.