Gay Marriage In Portugal Becomes Legal Despite Pope’s Calls For It To Be Outlawed

Following yesterday’s ratification by the Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva of a gay marriage bill allowing same sex couples to marry, Portugal is now become the 6th country in Europe to have passed a gay marriage law.

Passing easily through government back in January thanks to the left-wing majority, the bill was passed just days after Pope Benedict XVI ended a visit to Portugal where he told followers at a service at the Catholic shrine of Fatima that gay marriage was a one of the biggest threats to the world.

Speaking about the passing of the new law, Silva said he was regretful the Portugal’s political parties hadn’t been able to compromise on the issue, but had decided not to veto as he felt the country had more important issues to deal with and wasn’t willing to let parliament override any veto:

“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.”

Refusing to say how he felt personally about the issue of gay marriage, President Anibal Cavaco Silva did go as far as to say he was putting aside his “personal convictions” by passing the law that will now allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, but still won’t allow them to adopt.