Although not entirely unexpected, we are sad for the families of Portugal that will now be forced to accept same-sex marriage. On Wednesday, President Aníbal Cavaco Silva, signed the bill stating that he knew his veto could and would be overrode by lawmakers and that he didn’t wish to embroil his country in this debate any longer when Portugal’s economic struggles needed to be front and center.
The new law removes reference in the country’s statutes that defined marriage as being between two people of different sexes. The new law, however, does not allow for gay adoption.
Portugal now joins five other European countries who offer full-fledged same-sex marriage (Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Norway).
In this primarily Catholic country, President Silva’s announcement comes just days after Pope Benedict completed a trip to Portugal. During his visit the Pope called abortion and homosexual marriage “insidious and dangerous challenges that today confront the common good.” President Silva, a Catholic, said he was setting aside “his personal convictions” in making the decision.
We appreciate the President’s concern for Portugal’s economic crisis, but wonder if he realizes the cultural and legal crisis for marriage that he has now helped to create.