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Pope: Save Rainforest —and Heterosexuality, Too

Benedict's Christmas message decries erosion of 'traditional' gender roles

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 23, 2008 8:08 AM CST
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(Newser) – Pope Benedict XVI used a Christmas address today to call for a defense of heterosexuality, which he suggested was as endangered as the rainforest.  He called homosexuality and deviance from gender norms "a destruction of God's work." The pontiff said "the tropical forests do deserve our protection; but man, as a creature, does not deserve any less," the Guardian reports.

Benedict's speech focused on the blurring of gender roles, which he said could lead to the "self-destruction" of the human race. A Vatican spokesman said that the pope did not want to attack homosexuality or transsexualism per se, but "was speaking more generally about gender theories." The Catholic church normally distinguishes between gay sex, which it considers sinful, and homosexuality as an identity, which it does not.

Pope Benedict XVI gives his blessing during an audience to exchange Christmas wishes with cardinals and prelates, in the Clementine Hall, at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 22, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI gives his blessing during an audience to exchange Christmas wishes with cardinals and prelates, in the Clementine Hall, at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Max Rossi, pool)
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his message during his general audience in Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his message during his general audience in Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges faithful at the end of a Mass for students of universities in Rome, inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges faithful at the end of a Mass for students of universities in Rome, inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope Benedict XVI leads a mass at the Basilica of San Lorenzo, Rome, Sunday Nov. 30, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI leads a mass at the Basilica of San Lorenzo, Rome, Sunday Nov. 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Guest
Jan 4, 2010 9:29 PM CST
the pope is a jackass

Anti-gay? Is the pope Catholic?
Telegraph (UK)

Extracts from Benedict's speech
BBC

 
gender • Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • transexualism • religion • homosexuality • gender roles • gays

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