May 11, 2005 / 22:00 pm
A prominent Spanish official in charge of social welfare in Valencia is expressing her support for the bishops of Spain in their opposition to a new law that would legalize gay marriage. Alicia de Miguel thanked the bishops for the clarity with which they have expressed the Church's position on homosexual unions, saying other persons, parties and associations should show the same "honesty."
De Miguel said the Church "has every right" and the "obligation" to take positions on issues that affect society, in this case the recognition of homosexual unions as the equivalent of marriage.
Her comments came in response to a homily by the Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, during the Missa d'Infants, in which he warned against the "many powerful social, political and cultural forces which seek to snatch away from children and young people the faith of their parents."
De Miguel said the bishops' stance against homosexual unions was "absolutely worthy of respect."