French Catholic Church Targets Gay Marriage

PARIS (AP) - Gay marriage and adoption are in the spotlight in France as the Catholic Church is using a religious holiday to urge politicians to protect heterosexual traditions.

Socialist President Francois Hollande has said he wants a law allowing gay marriage and adoption next year.

While polls suggest most French are in favor, this is a traditionally Catholic country. For Wednesday's Assumption holiday, the French bishops' conference asked priests to read a prayer calling on politicians to follow "their conscience" and resist requests by special interests, and stressing the importance of "the love of a father and a mother."

The Sipa news agency reported that some parishes ignored the suggested prayer and that churchgoers were divided over whether the church should get involved in politics.

Gay rights group Act Up posted a video online mocking the recommended prayer.