Paris Cardinal André Vingt-Trois urged French politicians to show civic courage and ask hard questions about the effects of the legalisation of gay marriage that the new Socialist government has promised to pass within a year.

"My concern is not to defend my religious backyard, but to give voice to the questions we ask about the future of our whole society," said the cardinal.  The French Church initially avoided commenting on the planned law, which some Catholic blogs criticised. Leaders of about 20 lay Catholic groups met recently to discuss a strategy allowing other voices to be heard.

The cardinal said: "When the French see ‘parent 1' and ‘parent 2' instead of ‘father' and ‘mother' in their family documents, they will understand the problem better."

Above: Cardinal André Vingt-Trois Photo: CNS