The leader of the Catholic Church has attacked New Zealand's Civil Union legislation and urged New Zealanders to publicly debate issues of morality. During a speech to new ambassadors to the Holy See, including New Zealand's Geoff Ward and the ambassador to Spain, Pope Benedict warned against "whimsical social trends" and said New Zealanders appreciate that "secular distortions of marriage can never overshadow the splendour of a lifelong covenant based on generous self-giving and unconditional love." He added that "the future of humanity passes by way of the family." The full text of the Pope's address is on the link below.