Vatican paper condemns same-sex 'marriage'

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The Vatican came out swinging against homosexual "marriage" yesterday, calling it "a legalization of evil" and saying Catholic politicians have a "moral duty" to oppose it.

The six-page document, "Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons" was written by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which clarifies church doctrine.

Its most striking aspect is a warning to Catholic politicians, who are told that any vote for same-sex unions would be "gravely immoral." Politicians should work to repeal any laws in existence because "it is his duty to witness to the truth."

If repeal is not possible, the politician should support "proposals aimed at limiting the harm done by such a law."

No penalties are specified for Catholics who disobey, although in April 2002, the pope reminded U.S. cardinals, during a meeting in Rome, to "publicly ... reprimand individuals who spread dissent."

"The letter is uncompromising," said Russell Hittinger, a Catholic studies professor at the University of Tulsa. "In my studies on Roman documents, this is about as tough as it gets."

"Rome is saying politicians have a responsibility before this happens," he said. "In no way can you cooperate with or compromise with bringing a law into existence that does this."

Same-sex "marriages" are legal in the Netherlands, Belgium and two Canadian provinces. Canada's ruling party says it will implement homosexual "marriage" nationwide soon. Civil partnerships are allowed in Argentina, France, Germany, Norway and other countries.

But 30 U.S. states have laws banning same-sex "marriage" and on Wednesday, President Bush said U.S. law should allow marriage only between a man and a woman.