Portugal’s bishops ‘lamenting’ new gay marriage law

Portugal’s president President Anibal Cavaco Silva said this week that he would reluctantly ratify the country’s new gay marriage law. The move represents a further undermining of the pope’s authority in this once staunchly Catholic country.

The pope spoke out strongly against the law last week on a visit to Portugal, calling it an “insidious” attack on the family. His words went unheeded as the country became the sixth in Europe to legalise same sex marriages. Portugal’s bishops said they “lamented” the President’s decision as it would “undermine social cohesion” in the country.