Feast of The Holy Family 2013: Despite Progressive Pope, Catholic Leaders Defend 'Traditional' Family

During the Feast of the Holy Family, Catholic leaders in Spain have sent a strong message in defense of the traditional conception of family. Despite Pope Francis' progressive stance on homosexuality, the president of the Pontifical Council for the Family has reinforced the traditional idea of family as being based on a male-female union. At a service in Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, Vincenzo Paglia emphasized the family as the "cradle of life and society" and later told Spanish television that while "there are other forms of conviviality...they are not family."

While Pope Francis' Angelus service in Rome emphasized the plight of refugee families around the world, connecting the plight of Joseph and Mary to those seeking asylum, leaders in Spain turned focus firmly towards a defense of the traditions of family and marriage. In Madrid, cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid, held a service titled "Husband and Wife, Father and Mother By The Grace of God." Cardinal Rouco explained “legislation has placed deep obstacles in the way of basic family values and prevented its natural growth."

Cardinal Paglia presided over the mass at the Sagrada Familia along with the Archbishop of Barcelona, Lluis Marinez Sistach: Sistach has been an outspoken supporter of traditional family values. The fact that a figure of Cardinal Paglia standing was sent by the Holy See to preside over the service in Barcelona in conjunction with the themes expressed by Cardinal Rouco in Madrid has been seen by many as a clear sign from the Vatican that despite Pope Francis' progressive stance on many issues, the Catholic Church will not be altering its views on marriage and homosexuality.