Vatican City, Nov 19, 2012 / 13:55 pm
As France's Socialist government pushes to legalize "gay marriage," Catholics must continue to strongly and consistently bear witness to the teachings of Christ, Pope Benedict XVI said.
"In society's key debates, the voice of the Church must make itself heard ceaselessly and with determination," he said, praising the "rich Christian history" of France, which "cannot be ignored or diminished."
Pope Benedict made his remarks in a Nov. 17 address to a group of French bishops on their ad limina visit to Rome.
His address came as the French president Francois Hollande's Cabinet continues to push ahead with legislation that would legalize "gay marriage" and allow same-sex couples to adopt in early 2013.