Pope more concerned with Truth than popularity

Whilst many Protestant churches seem to more concerned with the populist, but essentially secular agenda of ‘saving the planet’ rather than the saving of souls to eternity, the Pope has stood up boldly to declare God’s concern for our world in terms of His plan for the traditional family.

In a manner which speaks of Pope Benedict being more concerned for God’s Truth rather than for popular standing and the following of contemporary trends, he has affirmed heterosexual marriage as the bedrock and God's pattern for a healthy society.

Unsurprisingly his remarks have provoked a backlash of accusations from pro-homosexual groupings – including those within the church.

The Rev. Ian Galloway, Convenor of the Church of Scotland's Church and Society Council said that Pope Benedict had "missed the point" and "the Kirk considers that climate change in the global priority that will affect the lives of people whatever their sexuality".

Meanwhile Mark Dowd, strategist for Christian environmental group Operation Noah, said the comments betrayed "a lack of openness to the complexity of creation".

Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement head Rev Sharon Ferguson said the Pope's remarks justified "gay bashing". And Vladimir Luxuria, a transgender former Italian MP stated: "I'm someone who was born as male and has a spiritual and female soul, and it's contradictory that a Pope just thinks of people just made as flesh and not made of a spiritual aspect."

The Roman Catholic Church opposes gay marriage. And reflecting the adage “God hates the sin, but loves the sinner", the Church teaches that while homosexual orientation is not sinful per se, homosexual acts are.

So while many protestant denominations (some of which denounce the Pope as the AntiChrist) reflect an ambivalence and confusion over the matter of human sexuality, and the Episcopal Church - amongst others - is fragmenting over the issue, it seems that the Roman Pontiff is quite clear on what he believes and what his church should teach and work to maintain.

Read further in The Herald and on the BBC's website.