FATIMA, Portugal (CNS): On his third day in Portugal, Pope Benedict XVI took aim at two issues that have deeply disturbed Church leaders in the predominantly Catholic country: abortion and gay marriage.
The pope said abortion and efforts to promote same-sex marriage were “insidious and dangerous threats to the common good,” and he encouraged pastoral workers in Portugal to keep up their efforts to protect the unborn and the traditional family.
He made his remarks in a meeting May 13 at the Marian sanctuary of Fatima with more than 1000 Church workers engaged in social pastoral programs.
Abortion was liberalised in Portugal in 2007 after a popular referendum.
Legislation allowing gay marriage is expected to become law in a few days.
The Pope did not call for a repeal of the abortion law, which allows for induced abortion on request during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy and during the first 24 weeks of gestation under special circumstances.
Instead, he encouraged the Church’s pastoral force to try to prevent situations that result in abortions and to promote spiritual healing for those who have had them.
“I express my deep appreciation for all those social and pastoral initiatives aimed at combating the socio-economic and cultural mechanisms that lead to abortion and are openly concerned to defend life and to promote the reconciliation and healing of those harmed by the tragedy of abortion,” he said.
