On the (Re-)Definition of Marriage

“Would you ever have suspected that France would be the Western country where popular opposition to the redefinition of marriage finally coalesced?

“The momentum toward legal recognition of same-sex unions continues in France, despite the demonstration that drew nearly 1 million people onto the streets of Paris last Sunday. The government is committed to the change, and the defenders of traditional marriage, although they are numerous and vocal, remain in the minority in opinion polls. Still that massive demonstration was unlike anything we have seen in the US, in Britain, or in any of the European countries that have been swept up in the trend to approve homosexual partnerships. Perhaps more important, the strong opposition has forced the French public to take a more serious look at the question, and recognize the complications that arise from legal acceptance of same-sex unions.

“Why has the same sort of popular opposition never formed in other societies? Why in France?”

In a recent commentary, Phil Lawler is the editor of Catholic World News, reflected on the reasons for the campaign to redefine marriage and why this campaign is meeting opposition.

To access his complete post, please visit:

Catholic Culture: Why the French--of all people--resist the redefinition of marriage (17 JAN 13)