Spanish bishops join protest against legalization of gay marriage

Published: 2005-06-20

MADRID, Spain (CNS) -- Senior Spanish clergy joined hundreds of thousands of protesters in central Madrid, calling on the government to withdraw a bill that will allow homosexual couples to marry and adopt children. Under the slogan "The Family Matters," printed on a massive banner held aloft by helium-filled balloons, the demonstrators filed slowly through searing heat to a rally at the city's central plaza of Puerta del Sol June 18. About 500,000 people participated in the demonstration, organizers told Madrid's public television station. Praising the "remarkable size" of the protest, Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela of Madrid, who marched at the head of the demonstration flanked by his three auxiliary bishops, later suggested the government take note of the show of discontent. The gay marriage and adoption bill comes before Spain's upper house at the end of June. The bill "would be better off withdrawn," Cardinal Rouco told reporters after the march.

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