Prominent Puerto Rican cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez told reporters at the Primera Hora newspaper that he finds openly gay pop star Ricky Martin’s public discussion of homosexuality potentially damaging to young fans.
While careful to distinguish his criticism of Martin’s behavior from a broader condemnation of homosexuality, Martinez also stated that Martin should “set an example to our youth of the great values we all share, besides sex.” The cardinal explained that he finds Martin’s willingness to discuss homosexuality with the mainstream media as a bad example for children – especially Martin’s own twin sons, Matteo and Valentino.
“Personally, I admire Ricky for the great artistic gifts the Lord has endowed him,” Martinez added.
According to Martinez, the Catholic church “does not reject the homosexual [but] their immoral actions and behaviors.” However, he also said that “trying to promote homosexuality or sexual promiscuity among our youth, indeed, is immoral regardless of where it comes from.”
Martin, who came out last spring with an announcement on his official website, recently described the public assertion of his homosexuality as “an intense, spiritual process.” However, he also explained that he intends to maintain a more private stance in his personal life moving forward.
