Pope says NZ far too secular

1.00pm

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen is not surprised Pope John Paul II thinks New Zealand has become far too secular.

The Pope told New Zealand bishops this week he lamented secular trends in New Zealand, in particular the weakening of Sunday mass attendance.

The Pope said that Sunday must not be "unduly dominated by entertainment and sport".

Dr Cullen initially thought journalists were teasing him about the Pope having a view on New Zealand society, but when assured it was true said it was not unexpected.

"That is an interesting comment from the Pope. Clearly he would take a very religious view of life. Some of us come from a very long and strong secular background. Certainly that is my family tradition," Dr Cullen said.

New Zealand had changed greatly in the past 50 years and when he arrived New Zealand had been closed on Sundays.

"We are a much more vital, vibrant society. Obviously some people find difficulties around that," Dr Cullen said.

The Pope also said that efforts to equate marriage between man and woman to other forms of cohabitation violated "God's plan for humanity".

The Pope did not specifically mention the Civil Union Bill that would grant "civil union" status to couples -- both same-sex and heterosexual -- who live together, giving them many of the same rights as married couples.

The bishop's delegation to the Vatican was led by Cardinal Thomas Williams, who several months ago denounced reformist politicians behind the bill as "modern barbarians".

Conservative critics have labelled it the "Gay Marriage Bill," although it doesn't formally recognise gay marriages and differentiates between civil unions and marriage.

"Spouses rightly deserve specific and categorical legal recognition by the state," the Pope said, "while any attempt to equate marriage with other forms of cohabitation violates its unique role in God's plan for humanity."

The Pope spoke of the "challenges currently confronting" the bishops, and urged them to "defend the sanctity and uniqueness of marriage."

Bishop Denis George Browne, president of the New Zealand bishops' conference, asked the Pope's support in a battle against the bill, according to remarks released by the Vatican.


Prime Minister Helen Clark today told reporters the Pope had strong religious views and he was entitled to express them.

She was sure the pope had people on the ground in New Zealand and they made their views known to him.

The issue had not come up when she met the Pope in Rome in May.

- NZPA