Just 24 hours after Pope Francis called for restriction of free speech in regards to religious criticism, the once heralded leader of the Catholic Church is attacking same-sex marriage.
Speaking in front of a large crowd in the Philippines, Francis appeared to revert back to the same rhetoric used by the church in the past.
Francis arrived in the Philippines on Friday for a five day trip and spoke to thousands in the heart of Manila, the country’s capital city.
While speaking on the issue of same sex marriage on Jan. 16, Francis went into attack mode. “The family is threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage,” Francis told the crowd. “These realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces, which threaten to disfigure God’s plan for creation.”
Francis has appeared to be more liberal than his predecessors in the past, once stating “who am I to judge?” when asked about possible gay clergy members.
Francis’ criticism of same-sex marriage comes just a day after he commented on the recent terrorist attacks in France.
Though condemning the violent attacks, Francis seemed to put at least partial blame on the editors and cartoonists of Charlie Hebdo, the satirical magazine that was acted in Paris last week.
“You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others,” Francis said, saying that the magazine shouldn’t have provoked the attackers.
After Francis took over for Pope Benedict XVI in March 2013, the 78-year-old Jesuit promised to change the perception of the Catholic Church.
Francis received rave reviews from more progressive minded Catholics, but was dealt harsh criticism from those who support a more traditional, conservative handling of the church.
Source: examiner.com