Catholics Pray Against Marriage Equality

Same sex marriage and gay adoptions are in the spotlight in France at the moment as the French Catholic Church is using a religious holiday to put pressure on and urge politicians to protect heterosexual traditions.

The new French President Francois Hollande has repeatedly said he wants push forward laws to allow same-sex marriage and adoption next year. Recent opinion polls suggest that the vast majority of the population are in favour of these changes and a moved towards a more equal society, France remains a traditionally Catholic country. On the Assumption day holiday on Wednesday, French bishops’ conference asked priests all over the country to read a special prayer calling on politicians to follow “their conscience” and resist requests by special interests, and stressing the importance of “the love of a father and a mother.”

According to local news agency, Sipa, many parishes ignored the prayer request and reported that many churchgoers were divided on the issue and whether the church should even get involved in politics.