VATICAN, September 13, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) In feeble attempts to defend marriage several bishops and bishops conferences throughout the world have failed to present the full teaching of the Catholic Church. Some have gone so far as to back unacceptable compromises when confronted with homosexual ‘marriage’ such as same-sex civil unions or some such scheme to give societal benefit to homosexual couples. In that light, Pope John Paul’s comments to the bishops of New Zealand today are of particular significance. The Pope pointed to “the distortion of reason by particular interest groups and exaggerated individualism” which lead to “the tragic consequences of the eclipse of the sense of God: the drift away from the Church; the undermining of family life; the facilitation of abortion and prostitution; a misguided vision of life which seeks pleasure and ‘success’ rather than goodness and wisdom.” In the face of such “disquieting developments” John Paul II called on the bishops to “be men of hope, preaching and teaching with passion the splendour of Christ’s truth which dispels the darkness and illuminates the true path of life.” The Pope told the gathered bishops: “I encourage you to continue to ensure that your statements clearly convey the whole of the Church’s magisterial teaching.” He continued, “Spouses rightly deserve specific and categorical legal recognition by the State, while any attempt to equate marriage with other forms of cohabitation violates its unique role in God’s plan for humanity.” See the Pope’s full address to the New Zealand bishops: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/bulletin/news/15293.php?index=15293&lang=en jhw