'Secularism' in Europe Vexes Vatican [View All]

[Sandpiper]

`Secularism' in Europe vexes Vatican

Fri Nov 5, 9:40 AM ET Top Stories - Chicago Tribune


By Liz Sly Tribune foreign correspondent

Surveying the world beyond the cloistered walls of its Roman enclave, the Vatican (news - web sites) sees much to worry about: Terrorism, war, AIDS (news - web sites) and poverty are ravaging the lives of many of its constituents around the globe.

But of all the ills afflicting the modern world, none is causing deeper concern than the rising tide of what Vatican officials call "militant secularism" washing over Europe.

The symptoms of that have been piling up fast recently.

In traditionally Roman Catholic Spain, a new socialist government is aggressively promoting legislation that will permit gay marriage, facilitate abortion and speed up divorce.

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