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Email: "Pope Tells Canada: Be Reasonable - Marriage is Only Between a Man and a Woman"

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BY LifeSiteNews.com VATICAN CITY, September 7, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Saturday morning at the Pope’s summer residence of Castelgandolfo, Pope John Paul received Donald Smith, Canada’s new ambassador to the Holy See. In his speech in English to the diplomat, he warned, “Any attempts to change the meaning of the word ‘spouse’ contradict right reason: legal guarantees, analogous to those granted to marriage, cannot be applied to unions between persons of the same sex without creating a false understanding of the nature of marriage.” Notably, the Pope’s comments referred to the granting of legal marriage rights under the broad category of same-sex unions, rather than just so-called same-sex ‘marriage’. Some Canadian political and even religious leaders have been pushing a supposed compromise same-sex unions strategy in response to the drive for same-sex ‘marriage’. However, the ‘marriage’/‘unions’ word game and any redefinition of the word ‘spouse’ is recognized by the Pope and others as leading, in every case to unacceptable granting of marriage rights. The Pope recalled his fondness for Canada especially the ‘joyous’ World Youth Day in 2002.  He also recalled Canada’s history of protection of the family.  “For generations Canadians have recognized and celebrated the place of marriage at the heart of your society,” he said. The Pope noted the origins of marriage and its great contribution to society.  “Established by the Creator with its own nature and purpose, and preserved in natural moral law, the institution of marriage necessarily entails the complementarity of husbands and wives who participate in God’s creative activity through the raising of children. Spouses thereby ensure the survival of society and culture, and rightly deserve specific and categorical legal recognition by the State.”  He acknowledged that “Canada is not alone in the difficult challenges facing individuals in contemporary culture.”  However he expressed hope that Canada may overcome the threat posed to the family by a radical redefinition of marriage.  “With goodwill, I am confident that the splendid vision of supportive and stable family life, so dear to the people of Canada, will continue to offer to society the foundation upon which the aspirations of your nation can be built.”  See the full address at:  http://www.vatican.va/news_services/bulletin/news/15236.php?index=15236&po_date=04.09.2004&lang=en http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-tells-canada-be-reasonable-marriage-is-only-between-a-man-and-a-woman/

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