Slovakia's referendum on gay marriage ban fails

[star-warrior]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31170464

........... due to low turnout.

Only 21.4% of those eligible voted, the national statistics office said on Sunday, well short of the 50% required for the ballot to be valid.

Voters were asked three questions including whether marriage can only be a union between a man and a woman.

Slovakia's population of 5.4 million people is predominantly Catholic.

Liberals and gay rights activists welcomed the outcome. They had encouraged people to boycott the referendum.

Over 90% of those who did vote backed the 2014 constitutional amendment which defines marriage as a union of a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex unions and adoptions.

They also supported the right for children to skip classes involving sex education and euthanasia.

Despite Pope Francis' urging to vote Yes to the ban

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2015/02/...ote-yes-on-referendum-to-restrict-gay-rights/

A big billboard of Pope Francis hangs over the center of Slovakia’s capital, urging citizens to vote “Yes” in a referendum on restricting gay rights.

....


Slovakia’s anti-gay marriage movement has received massive support from the Catholic Church, and Francis this week even gave his blessing to the referendum in an address on St. Peter’s Square.

Same old evil Catholic Church rotten from the top down. If you thought Pope Francis was a breath of fresh air, I'm afraid it's same old, same old.

 

[gsdx]

That's one of the reasons I stopped going to church 30-odd years ago. (Not Catholic.) I didn't stop being a Christian, but I refused to be part of an institution which refused to practice what it preached.

 

[MakeDigitalLove]

Same old evil Catholic Church rotten from the top down. If you thought Pope Francis was a breath of fresh air, I'm afraid it's same old, same old.

Not really. I didn't see anything outside of the billboard that says he actually supports it himself. They could have easily just use his picture as a means to persuade people.

Edit: Nevermind. Found another article about the statement he made. Seems a bit odd to me.

 

[rareboy]

As Slovakia gears up for a referendum on same-sex unions this coming weekend, Pope Francis gave his blessing to the country's efforts to block marriage and adoption rights for gay couples.

Speaking at his weekly general audience on Wednesday, the pope said: "I greet the pilgrims from Slovakia and, through them, I wish to express my appreciation to the entire Slovak church, encouraging everyone to continue their efforts in defense of the family, the vital cell of society."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/06/pope-slovakia-referendum_n_6630876.html

Francis.

You disappoint me.

I'm not even sure that I mind you toeing the party line in your smart red shoes on marriage....but when the conservatives want to prevent loving same sex couples from adopting the unwanted detritus of the failed straight couplings that you extoll....that is too m

 

[mikemizanin729]

The Catholic church is full of old pedo priests. Church is shit.

 

[carey579]

How anyone - especially gays - fell for his PR is just beyond me

 

[Telstra]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31170464


Despite Pope Francis' urging to vote Yes to the ban

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/pope-fra...ote-yes-on-referendum-to-restrict-gay-rights/



Same old evil Catholic Church rotten from the top down. If you thought Pope Francis was a breath of fresh air, I'm afraid it's same old, same old.

well, rareboy and others gave high marks to the Pope Francis before this thread was created.
They don't even know who the real Pope Francis is before giving him high marks.

 

[johaninsc]

well, rareboy and others gave high marks to the Pope Francis before this thread was created.
They don't even know who the real Pope Francis is before giving him high marks.

Telstra........

run along and go play now

 

[lambdaboy]

There is only one pope it is Ratzi the Nazi Fran is the PR POPE anyone who thinks he likes us is an idiot. He should be more concered with this list of priest charged with abusing children. Ratzi hid a lot of the priests that did!

http://bishop-accountability.org/priestdb/PriestDBbylastName-A.html

 

[rareboy]

well, rareboy and others gave high marks to the Pope Francis before this thread was created.
They don't even know who the real Pope Francis is before giving him high marks.

That is just an idiotic statement.

Of course we knew who he was.

Which is why we've been surprised and delighted with many of his moves and his statements that indicate how far he is moving the church into an age of more liberal theology.

It is why his elliptical endorsement of the work of the conservative slovak church was equally surprising and disappointing.
Unless, as it has been suggested, the Vatican was already aware that the referendum would fail, so paying lip service by commending the Slovaks for their work in protecting the traditional family wouldn't really matter, but would placate the old guard.

And you don't even know what his statement was, do you?

 

[MakeDigitalLove]

well, rareboy and others gave high marks to the Pope Francis before this thread was created.
They don't even know who the real Pope Francis is before giving him high marks.

And you claim other people like to start drama in a different thread.

 

[Telstra]

And you claim other people like to start drama in a different thread.

umm this is not drama.
Just saying some JUB members gave high praises to pope Francis.

 

[Telstra]

That is just an idiotic statement.

Of course we knew who he was.

Which is why we've been surprised and delighted with many of his moves and his statements that indicate how far he is moving the church into an age of more liberal theology.

It is why his elliptical endorsement of the work of the conservative slovak church was equally surprising and disappointing.
Unless, as it has been suggested, the Vatican was already aware that the referendum would fail, so paying lip service by commending the Slovaks for their work in protecting the traditional family wouldn't really matter, but would placate the old guard.

And you don't even know what his statement was, do you?

All i can say is, if he don't fellow the bible, he is not a true catholic.

 

[MakeDigitalLove]

umm this is not drama.
Just saying some JUB members gave high praises to pope Francis.

And naming them, saying "told you so" is an attempt to ruffle feathers.

 

[rareboy]

All i can say is, if he don't fellow the bible, he is not a true catholic.

Since I know you have never read the bible and has no idea what his theological leanings are, you can't even speculate on how closely he 'follows' the bible. It is also safe to say that you are unable to define 'true' catholicism...since there are several distinct and profoundly different branches of catholicism.

As Pontifex Maximus...with the protection of Pope Alexander's doctrine of papal infallibility, Francis is the ultimate authority on scriptural interpretation in the Roman Catholic Church.

As a Jesuit, he belongs to the highest order of intellectual factions within the church.

He has made it very clear that he is not afraid of liberation theology and modernizing the church. In many ways he will end up being like Obama...a leader that created the conditions for sweeping change, but one who is often constrained by the mess he has inherited.

I can still offer him high praise...and do....and still be disappointed that the vague and general statement he made at an audience has become a pronouncement being used by the conservative Slovaks as a carte blanche endorsement of their referendum fight.

 

[Zeno Lorea]

Despite Pope Francis' urging to vote Yes to the ban




Same old evil Catholic Church rotten from the top down. If you thought Pope Francis was a breath of fresh air, I'm afraid it's same old, same old.

Don't get me started on Pope Frank. I too hoped he was a breath of fresh air, but it's the same stench as the one before him. And probably the one before that.