Global Women's Voices: Share Personal Stories

Maria, Mexico

Submitted by:

In a message directed to catholics, Sunday, April 27 of this year, the Bishop of Queretaro Mario Gasperín in a sermon named “How Catholics Vote” gave multiple recommendations such as the following. Point II,6, says a catholic,”can’t vote for a political party or for a candidate who does not respect the dignity of the human being such as those who defend or promote prostitution, homosexual or lesbian unions, physical or chemical contraceptives…”

Point II,10, says: A catholic, “Can’t vote for a political party or candidate who does not promise to promote the dignity of the family, founded upon monogamous marriage between people of the opposite sex…”

How is it possible that the Catholic church, through its representatives, continue promoting lack of respect to sexual diversity and control over reproduction. How can it not acknowledge and exclude the actual composition of families while it talks about “the family” being founded on monogamous marriage between people of opposite sexes.

This is an exclusionary and discriminatory standpoint, promoting like it does in Point VI,20, that a Catholic knows that “a Catholic who acts according to these criteria contributes in a substantial way to the well being of the country.” Women and men in the world, we should oppose people (such as the archbishop) who exert influence in the community, while generating misinformation, promoting antidemocratic conduct, homophobia and condemning the use of contraceptives.

updated: 7/2/2004