Belgrade - A massive protest was demonstrated by thousands of religious and right-wing opponents in the Serbian capital against a planned european pride event to be hosted by Belgrade. This was in spite of the government’s assurance that it would delay or scrap the Pride event.
Belgrade is due to host the event on September 17th. President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday that this event would be cancelled or postponed, citing oppositions.
The protests rally against the event, held during a procession to mark a religious holiday, was led by clergy from the Serbian Orthodox Church. The bishops cautioned that such events threaten traditional family values and should be banned.
"Save our children and family," read one of the banners held up by protesters on Sunday, some of whom also carried crosses.
Serbian governments in the past have banned Pride parades, drawing criticisms.
The country is looking forward to join the EU. But to become a member, it must first meet demands to improve the rule of law and its rights record. It also has to root out organised crime and corruption and mend ties with Kosovo.
According to USCCB, across times, cultures, and very different religious beliefs, marriage is the foundation of the family. The family, in turn, is the basic unit of society. Thus, marriage is a personal relationship with public significance.
Marriage is the fundamental pattern for male-female relationships. It contributes to society because it models the way in which women and men live interdependently and commit, for the whole of life, to seek the good of each other.
The marital union between a man and woman, also provides the best conditions for raising children: namely, the stable, loving relationship of a mother and father present only in marriage.
The Catechism of Catholic Church, 2359 says that, "Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection."