VATICAN, June 18, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Using very strong language, Pope John Paul II warned Catholic Bishops that they must speak out in defence of marriage and the family. In speaking to the Bishops of Columbia yesterday, the Pope highlighted the bishops’ efforts “to defend and promote the institution of family” and he emphasized the “need to continue to proclaim firmly the truth about marriage and family, established by God, as an authentic service to society.”
The Pope added, “Not doing so would be a grave pastoral omission that would induce believers to error, as well as those who have the serious responsibility to make decisions for the common good of the nation.” Concluding the point the Pope noted, “This truth is valid not only for Catholics, but for all men and women without distinction, as marriage and the family constitute an irreplaceable good of society, which cannot remain indifferent in face of its degradation or loss of identity.”
See the full address (in Spanish): https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2004/june/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20040617_ad-limina-colombia_sp.html