The fact that many people have been drawn away from religious values today does not invalidate the family as the fundamental cell of society. The family -- and through it, all human society -- have their source and origin in marriage. Marriage is still ordered to the procreation and education of offspring even if this has eluded the minds and hearts of contemporary man. As the basic expression of man's social nature, marriage can only be understood as the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

Procreation, while not the only purpose of marriage, is nonetheless essential to the institution. The fact that some married couples do not have children either because of infertility or personal decision does not determine the purpose of marriage. Exceptions do not invalidate but prove the rule; individual practices do not invalidate the objectives of an institution; variations do not nullify a norm.

Marriage exists solely between a man and a woman who through their personal gift of self to each other, perfect one another into a communion of persons. This human development of the spouses and the proper nurturing of children who are the fruits of such unions make an immense contribution to the common good of society. One does not need to have any particular religion to recognise this, or that the family based on marriage is the best way to bring up happy, productive children.

In rejecting erroneous opinions that support homosexuality one does not limit but rather defends personal freedom and dignity realistically and authentically understood. Let us hope that the world's lawyers and politicians have the greater foresight and fortitude; that they work to uphold the institution of marriage as it is defined and not deconstruct it to appear as merely an expression of "free love".