Good news for Cristiano Ronaldo. ;)
Posted on 05/18/2010 2:58:32 PM PDT by Clemenza
Portugal's conservative president has said he is reluctantly ratifying a law allowing gay marriage, making the predominantly Roman Catholic country the sixth in Europe to let same-sex couples wed.
President Anibal Cavaco Silva said he would not veto the bill because majority liberal politicians would only overturn his decision.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
President Anibal Cavaco Silva said he would not veto the bill because majority liberal politicians would only overturn his decision.
The country must focus instead on battling a crippling economic crisis that has increased unemployment and deepened poverty, he said.
"Given that fact, I feel I should not contribute to a pointless extension of this debate, which would only serve to deepen the divisions between the Portuguese and divert the attention of politicians away from the grave problems affecting us," Mr Cavaco Silva said. He added he was setting aside his "personal convictions", though he did not elaborate and did not take reporters' questions.
The country's parliament passed the Socialist government-backed bill in January, with the support of all of Portugal's left-of-centre parties, who together have a majority. Right-of-centre parties opposed the measure and demanded a national referendum.
Elsewhere in Europe, gay marriage is permitted in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Norway. As well, five US states and Washington, DC, legalised same-sex marriage, as have Canada and South Africa.
Mr Cavaco Silva's announcement came three days after Pope Benedict XVI left Portugal. During his four-day visit, which attracted hundreds of thousands of people, the pontiff said same-sex marriage and abortion were some of the most "insidious and dangerous" threats facing the world.
Socialist Party spokesman Vitalino Canas welcomed the president's decision, saying: "This is a memorable moment. This is a great step forward for us politically and as a society."
Antonio Serzedelo, the president of lobbying group Opus Gay, congratulated the head of state for placing "ethical responsibility above personal opinions".
Portugal is nearly 90% Catholic. However, only around two million of its 10.6 million people describe themselves as practising Catholics and Portugal has drifted away from the church's teachings.
Just like most euro parties, “conservative” means socialist lite.
PORTUGAL needs Fatima!
“Portugal to Allow Gay Marriage”
There ya go American gays. Become Portuguese.
Ping!
They are NOT “allowing” them, they are SANCTIONING them to marry. Allow means to “let it happen on it’s own”, but in this case, the government is putting its seal of approval on this corruption of morals.
Big difference!
???
Glad to see Portugal’s government focusing on the important stuff and not wasting time handling their debt issues.
When will these liberal/socialist/marxists figure out that a truly moral society can overcome these fiscal problems?
I will answer my own question. Never because the acquisition of power is all they really want.
Hope you and Lance have first class tickets PING.
This must apply to the *Third Secret*
I wouldn't miss see'in y'all git hitched!
Good news for Cristiano Ronaldo. ;)
He should veto it anyway, and let the progressives take full blame inthe future. But now they will say “but he signed it!”.
LOL!
Actually he is dating Kim Kardashian, but I always look for a good excuse to post that pic.
The actual question to ask is: How do all socialistic countries of the world finally become capitalistic countries and actually end their “forever socialism” funk?
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