In South Africa, the Reasons for Defending Marriage

CAPE TOWN, South African, NOV. 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference asserted that "homosexual marriage" is contrary to the natural law, and undermines the family and the foundations of society.

On Tuesday the South African Parliament approved same-sex "marriage" by a 230-41 vote after an intense debate. Proponents defended the measure as a way to combat all forms of discrimination.

Last month, at the request of a parliamentary Committee of Internal Affairs, Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, archbishop of Durban, issued a statement explaining why the Catholic Church holds a position that is opposed to same-sex "marriage."

"We agree that the civil and moral law are different things, but we also say that man-made laws cannot legitimize what is against the natural moral law," explained Cardinal Napier.

Moreover, legalization of same-sex unions undermines the family, noted the cardinal: "Across cultures and different religious beliefs, marriage is the foundation of the family," and is seen "as a loving and lasting relationship between a man and a woman, a relationship that is open to new life and the future of the human race."

Across various religious beliefs and cultures, "the family is seen as the basic unit of society" and the latter owes its continued survival to the family, founded on marriage, stated the 65-year-old prelate. "Marriage as we know it is recognized by the state because it contributes to the common good," while "homosexual unions do not exercise this function."

Such unions are also against the good of children, as being placed in the care of a same-sex couple would deprive them of the experience of either fatherhood or motherhood, the cardinal said.

This is "a grave injustice to these children who would be compelled to grow up in an environment that is not conducive to their full human development," he added.

See Cardinal Napier's full statement here.