Bishop Juan Martinez of Posadas in Argentina, reiterated this week that the Church’s opposition to proposals to reform Argentinean law to allow for same-sex “marriage” is not a fundamentalist position that rejects people because of their sexual orientation.

Rather, he underscored, “Properly speaking, marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman.”

In a radio interview, the bishop added, “Of course we wish to help everybody in a spirit of mercy and closeness. But the issue of marriage and adoption by same-sex couples is what we are reflecting on.”

On the feast of Corpus Christi on June 6, Bishop Martinez expressed his concern for proposals to allow same-sex marriage in the country, saying it would have serious consequences on families, marriages, and children, “who deserve to have a mother and a father.”

He called on lawmakers to address these issues with responsibility and commitment, as their decisions would be affecting the present and the future of the country.