Cardinal celebrates founding of Lima, defends authentic marriage

Lima, Peru, Jan 19, 2011 / 12:05 pm

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.