www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Queen angers gay groups

from:Reuters By Sarah Morris and Teresa Larraz in Madrid

November 01, 2008 02:14am

THE Queen of Spain has drawn criticism after she was quoted as condemning gay marriage, gay pride marches and abortion in an upcoming biography.

"If these people want to live together, dress as grooms and get married, they might have the right to do so or not, depending on the laws of their countries. But they shouldn't call it marriage, because it isn't," Queen Sofia was quoted as saying.

"There are many possible names: social contract, contract of union," she said in extracts from La Reina Muy de Cerca (The Queen Up Close) previewed in the daily El Pais.

The book is an updated version of a biography written by Pilar Urbano 13 years ago. Urbano is a well-known journalist who has written for conservative newspapers.

The Royal Palace said the Greek-born queen had been misquoted.

"The supposed comments which, anyway, were made in a private sphere, do not exactly match the opinions expressed by Her Majesty The Queen," it said in a statement.

Spain legalized gay marriage in 2005.

Gay and lesbian association COLEGAS said it respected Sofia's opinions but added: "The majority of Spaniards are in favour of gay marriage, and the majority do not reject the term marriage to refer to the union between people of the same sex."

In the book, the Queen, who married King Juan Carlos in 1962, also criticised abortion and gay pride parades.

"I can understand, accept and respect there are people of another sexual orientation, but that they feel proud to be gay? That they should get on a float?"

Gay pride, begun in the United States in the 1970s, has become a popular celebration in Spanish cities, with Madrid hosting Euro Pride in 2007, which organisers said attracted around 2.5 million people.

The chief spokesman for the opposition conservative Popular Party was unhappy with the Queen's comments, saying the royal family should not wade into politics.

"I think that the King, the Queen, if they are there for anything, it is to be like the flag, and we see the flag as meeting its role in official acts but not making public statements," Esteban Gonzalez Pons told Telemadrid.

Pons said that although the Queen's views may have offended half of Spaniards, another half supported them, particularly elderly Catholics like Sofia, who will turn 70 on Sunday.

Pons's party also argued against calling gay unions marriage and several Popular Party mayors have refused to marry gay couples

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24584913-5005361,00.html

It boggles the mind that the world is held captive by political correctness of those things which Christianity condemns.

The only reason that those who are older are the ones speaking out is because our young adults have been reared in schools and a popular culture which has literally indoctrinated them differently despite their parent's beliefs.

Alice

That is why any half way intelligent and thinking parent would NOT send their children to these cesspools they call schools.
Stephanos I

I like her comment about the floats! Haha.

I don't understand why anyone should be "proud" of whether they are straight or gay; you are what you are, in my opinion, and should try to live out your sexuality according to the Gospel. That would be worth being proud of.

Alexis

Problem is that this area of our lives here is mixed with a forgotten virtue called "modesty." Maybe I'm showing my age, but it seems to me we should no more be discussing our sexuality in a public way than we would walk around naked. This whole thing about not only talking but promoting this area is still part of the cultural rot begun during the "let it all hang out" 1960s era. No one should have any idea of one's sexuality--it's a beautiful gift, given by God, and is reserved for His purposes within a committed marraige between one man and one woman. Apart from that, each and every one of us is called to chastity particular to our state of life. And our Lord warns about unchaste thoughts being in His Words akin to adultery. He also warns that we have to account for every thought, word and deed. So I fail to understand why we must flaunt immorality and unchastity.

But, then, much of the thrust of this cultural movement is meant to uproot the very Christian culture that has shaped much of the world until now. You see in many part of the world a need for that new evangelization Pope JP2 of blessed memory called for. The sweep of same-sex marriage, calling parts of the Scripture "hate speech," demonizing Christians for defending the unborn and so many other parts of our Faith. We seem to be returning to the world that the Church was born into and we seem to be at the dawn of a new age when we can take nothing for granted and when each of us will be called to heroic witness in the face of challenge on every front.

In Christ,

BOB

I think some of the criticism stems not only from the opinion she expressed, but because she allowed herself to be quoted expressing a political opinion publicly, something the consort of constitutional monarch shouldn't do. I'm sure if the role of the Spanish monarchy is dilineated quite as strictly as in the UK and Scandanavia, but the arrangement of most European monarchies is "stick to smiling and waving and leave the politics to the elected officials".

She should remember that her husband signed the bill that legalized same sex unions in Spain.

can't we edit our own posts? i wanted to correct something but i don't see the edit tab...maybe i'm just missing it?

Dear David,

You should be seeing the 'edit' button on the bottom left of your post, unless too much time has passed. If you post something and immediately after, still do not see the edit tab, then please contact the Administrator.

Alice, Moderator

I think some of the criticism stems not only from the opinion she expressed, but because she allowed herself to be quoted expressing a political opinion publicly, something the consort of constitutional monarch shouldn't do. I'm not sure if the role of the Spanish monarchy is dilineated quite as strictly as in the UK and Scandanavia, but the arrangement most Europeans have with thier monarchies is "stick to smiling and waving and leave the politics to the elected officials".

She should remember that her husband signed the bill that legalized same sex unions in Spain.

Dear Bob,

This is *extremely well said*...and frighteningly true. If only the younger generations would realize this--but how can they fully understand when they have been so thoroughly indoctrinated by this culture...

Respectfully,
Your sister in Christ,
Alice

The Spanish royals are indeed expected to keep their political opinions to themselves. I would have expected Queen Sophia to realize that - had King Constantine realized it, he probably would still be employed as full-time King of Greece.

King Juan Carlos made it crystal clear to John Paul II that the Vatican is at liberty to say whatever it pleases to the Spanish government, but the King did not aim to leave Spain permanently unless he had no choice - he actually threatened to leave Spain when the Spanish Fascists attempted to bring Franco back from the dead. No fool, King Juan Carlos.

Fr. Serge

I still think it was hilarious when King Juan Carlos said to Hugo Chavez at a public forum of national heads of state, "Y por que no te callas?!" ("Why don't you shut up?").

Viva el rey!

Alexios

Indeed, Viva el Rey Cattolico! I've often wanted to tell politicians to shut up.

Fr. Serge

"The chief spokesman for the opposition conservative Popular Party was unhappy with the Queen's comments, saying the royal family should not wade into politics."

The Popular Party led the opposition to same sex marriage in Spain. Apparently it wasn't only gay groups who were upset at her statements.

How Catholic a King is Juan Carlos, considering he gave his ascent to the bill creating same sex marriage in Spain?

Since royals are also human beings, and since we human beings have a hard time not uttering our opinions, especially when we dislike something, perhaps the Queen was doing just that?!?