Redefining Marriage Will Ultimately Lead Vatican To Tougher Questions

This week the Vatican's second-highest ranking doctrinal official called gay marriage "evil," adding that "parliaments of so-called civilized nations where laws contrary to the nature of the human being are being promulgated, such as the approval of marriage between people of the same sex ..." The comment comes at a time when a highly controversial law is being considered in Italy that would give homosexual couples legal recognition. Groups opposed to the law are planning a national rally in Rome next month. Religious organizations such as the Presbyterian and the United Church of Christ have gone the other direction, allowing ministers in their denominations to conduct domestic partnership ceremonies. The debate over recognizing homosexual unions will undoubtedly continue in public opinion polls, but a related issue of monstrous proportions is also on the horizon. It is certain to make resolutions by Vatican and similar councils inevitable. It involves changes in laws regarding "gender definition" as a result of sex-change operations, and a related subject, transhumanism, both of which challenge the orthodox rendering of "the divine order."