Lyon, France, Sep 18, 2012 / 15:06 pm
Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon said government approval of gay "marriage" in France could pave the way for the legalization of incest and polygamy.
The cardinal made his statements on Sept.14 after a meeting with France's Interior Minister, Manuel Valls.
In an interview on French radio, Cardinal Barbarin said that same-sex unions constitute "a breakdown in society."
"This will lead to unspeakable consequences. Next they will want unions between three or four people. One day, perhaps, the prohibition against incest will fall," the cardinal warned.
French President Francois Hollande promised during his campaign that if elected he would push for the legalization of homosexual marriage and adoption by same-sex couples.
A bill that would allow such practices is currently under debate in France and is expected to come before the Council of Ministers on Oct. 24.
"Marriage is a word that represents a wall, in order to ensure that in the most fragile place of society, that is, in a woman who gives life to a child, all of the stable conditions are present to ensure that this takes place under the best of possibilities," the cardinal said.