Mexicans march against gay marriage in 122 cities

A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Mexico City has said that President Peña Nieto’s proposals felt like a “terrible stab in the back” to the Catholic hierarchy with whom he had previously had a good relationship.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 11, 2016, 4:18 P.M. E.D.T.

MEXICO CITY — Hundreds of gay and lesbian rights supporters marched to Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral to support same-sex marriage Sunday, one day after thousands marched against it.

Sunday's demonstrators carried a banner reading "We are families too" and placards reading "I respect your family, respect mine."

A day earlier, marches were held in several Mexican cities opposing same-sex marriage. White-clad demonstrators Saturday chanted "Children need a father and a mother!" and "Wake up and defend the family."

In May, President Enrique Pena Nieto proposed legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. It is currently legal only in some places such as Mexico City, the northern state of Coahuila and Quintana Roo state on the Caribbean coast.

Pena Nieto's party suffered losses in midterm elections in June and has largely sat on the initiative since then.

Pope Francis — Mr. Who-Am-I-To-Judge — made clear where he stands on marriage equality over the weekend. Turns out the Pope is still Catholic.
An estimated 215,000 people demonstrated against the government’s proposal to legalize same-sex marriage over the weekend, and the Pope supported the Church’s stance backing the protesters.

After having remained quiet while Italy debated civil unions for same-sex couples in May, on Sunday Pope Francis expressed support for the Mexican bishops in their efforts to support the “family and life” amid a burgeoning national debate over gay marriage.

“I join willingly the Bishops of Mexico in supporting the efforts of the Church and civil society in favor of the family and of life, which at this time require special pastoral and cultural attention worldwide,” Francis said after the weekly Angelus prayer.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/09/26/pope-francis-voices-supports-for-mexican-marchers-in-anti-gay-marriage-rally/