Catholics march against gay marriage in San Francisco

Catholic opponents of same-sex marriage held a prayer march, criticising San Francisco city officials who have licensed thousands of weddings for gay couples and calling for a federal amendment banning the unions.

A crowd of around 1,000 celebrated morning Mass at St Peter and Paul Church then held a rally that was frequently interrupted by calls of “shame” and “equal rights” by gay-rights counter-protesters.

The demonstrators then marched a several-blocks loop back to the church. Many held signs with pictures of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.

“Marriage is between a man and a woman,” said Madeleine Veneklase, 44, of Napa. “That’s how God made us and that’s the way to true happiness in a relationship.”

San Francisco generated worldwide attention when Mayor Gavin Newsom authorised city officials to start issuing same-sex marriage licences in February. Nearly 4,000 couples were married before the state Supreme Court suspended the policy pending legal challenges on March 11.

Peter Ragone, a spokesman for Mr Newsom, said that the Catholic mayor has “respectful disagreements” with the church.

“Some Catholics disagree with the mayor but there has been overwhelming support for ending discrimination against same-sex couples in Northern California,” he said.

The rally and march were sponsored by Your Catholic Voice, a nationwide organisation claiming to have around 250,000 members.