French Catholic Bishops Denounce Books on Mary

PARIS (Reuters) - Shortly before the day that made her famous, France's Roman Catholic Church has stood up for the Virgin Mary by denouncing two new books that question whether she was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus Christ.

In statements made as Christians prepared for Christmas, it has decried the best-selling "Mary, The Mother Of Jesus" by Catholic journalist Jacques Duquesne and "Mary, A Dogmatic Journey" by Dominican theologian Dominique Cerbelaud.

"The two books gravely offend the Catholic faith," declared Bishop Jean-Louis Brugues, head of the French bishops' doctrinal commission that recently reviewed the two works.

Unfortunately , this is not an uncommon issue, it seems. I have had "conversations" with a priest and with a protestant gentleman who 'facilitates" a Catholic parish Bible study program, both of whom have denied the perpetual virginity of Mary - as well as a few other things.

Source.