Pope Benedict: Gay Marriage Threatens the 'Future of Humanity Itself

Pope Benedict XVI has a warning for all mankind: Gay marriage is one of a number of threats to the family unit that holds the potential to undermine "the future of humanity itself." This warning, which is sure to cause angst and pain among those who disagree with its sentiment, comes as other Catholic figures are using strong language to condemn pro-same-sex marriage policies.

During an address to diplomats from nearly 180 nations, the pope discussed the importance of education and the need to reinforce the traditional man and wife paradigm. According to the Daily Mail, these were some of the pope's strongest comments yet about gay marriage, as he said that the family unit is necessary to sustain both education and development.

"This is not a simple social convention, but rather the fundamental cell of every society," he said. "Consequently, policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself. The family unit is fundamental for the educational process and for the development both of individuals and states."

Benedict went on to call for policies that promote the family. While these statements are bold, the pope isn't the only Catholic leader speaking out against gay marriage. El Pais is reporting that Demetrio Fernández, the Bishop of Córdoba (Spain), recently claimed that UNESCO has crafted an elaborate program that will make half of the world's population gay in the next 20 years. Fernández's comments came during a sermon he delivered on Spain's Boxing Day, a holiday held on December 26.

"The Minister for Family of the Papal Government, Cardinal Antonelli, told me a few days ago in Zaragoza that UNESCO has a program for the next 20 years to make half the world population homosexual," Fernández is quoted as saying. "To do this they have distinct programs, and will continue to implant the ideology that is already present in our schools."

And while railing against the pro-choice and same-sex marriage policies of Spain's previous Socialist Party-led government, Madrid Archbishop Antonio Rouco Varela reportedly claimed that abortion and euthanasia constitute a bigger crisis in Spain than the economy and politics.

"The family is under attack in Spain," Varela maintained, also stating that "Life is a sacred right that humans have been given by God."

(H/T: Daily Mail)