ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis is denouncing what he calls the "ideological colonization" of families and the developing world, where he says Western ideas about birth control and gay rights are increasingly being imposed, often as a condition for development aid.
Speaking to reporters on his flight back to Rome from the Philippines, Francis said no outside institution should impose its views on families.
On the Asian trip, Francis reiterated the church's opposition to artificial birth control, insisting that "openness to life is a condition of the sacrament of matrimony." He said there are plenty of church-approved ways to regulate births.
He also warned against "insidious attacks" against the family — a reference to gay marriage proposals.
During the Vatican's recent meeting on the family, African bishops denounced how aid groups and lending institutions often condition their assistance on a country's compliance with their ideals: allowing health care workers to distribute condoms, or withdrawing assistance if legislation discriminating against gays is passed.
