Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne of Lima, Peru recently defended
marriage between one man and one woman and warned that other unions are
contrary to the natural order.
In his homily at a Mass commemorating the 476th anniversary of the
founding of Lima on Jan. 18, Cardinal Cipriani told those gathered that
“marriage is a life-long union between one man and one woman, despite
attempts by some to propose other things.”
Lima Mayor Susana Villaran was present at the Mass.
Although the cardinal did not mention any particular political party
or leader during the Mass, vice presidential candidate Carlos Bruce
recently told the Peruvian daily El Comercio that gay “marriage” “is a
part of our political agenda.”
Cardinal Cipriani said such proposals
“are not Catholic” because “they are not part of the natural order.”
It is essential that authentic marriage between a man and a woman be
defended and promoted, he said, and it should not be used as a political
bargaining chip to gauge support.
Cardinal Cipriani also noted that the anniversary of the founding of
Lima should serve as an occasion to encourage values such as the
comprehensive development of individuals, the common good and the
family.
In Latin America homosexual unions are legal only in Mexico City and Argentina.
SIC: CNA/INT'L