Vatican: Irish gay marriage vote a ‘defeat for humanity’

The Vatican’s secretary of state has called the Irish vote to legalize gay marriage a “defeat for humanity,” evidence of the soul-searching going on in Catholic circles after the predominantly Roman Catholic country overwhelmingly rejected traditional church teaching on marriage. Cardinal Pietro Parolin said he was saddened by the landslide decision, in which more than 62% of Irish voters said “yes,” despite the church teaching marriage is only between a man and woman. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Parolin referred to remarks by Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin that the results showed the church needed a “reality check” since it clearly wasn’t reaching young people with its message.

I don’t think you can speak only about a defeat for Christian principles, but a defeat for humanity.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin

Meanwhile, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, a Vatican official, is under investigation by Italian prosecutors on suspicion of embezzlement and price fixing during the sale of an historic castle, according to media reports Wednesday. Paglia is one of the most prominent Vatican officials who is a member of the Sant'Egidio Community, influential in Italy for its commitment to working with the poor and immigrants. Pope Francis has issued strong statements against corruption, including during a visit in March to mafia territory in Naples.

The man learns about women by learning about this woman, his fiancee, while the woman learns about men by learning about this man, her fiance.

Pope Francis, previously talking about the period of engagement

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