People Lined Up for the Antigay 'Prayer for France'

Gay rights groups say an organized day of prayer against marriage equality by France's Catholic Churches on Wednesday incites discrimination and homophobia.

The so-called "Prayer for France" marked the Assumption holiday and was read in all of its churches, Reuters reports, reviving an antiquated practice once decreed by King Louis XIII in 1638. Long lines outside of churches were depicted in photos distributed worldwide.

The prayer called out "newly elected officials," in what is being interpreted as a swipe at Socialist President Francois Hollande and the rest of his party, which has promised to legalize same-sex marriage while also giving couples the right to adopt children.

The prayers asks that children "cease to be objects of the desires and conflicts of adults and fully benefit from the love of a father and a mother." That led LGBT rights groups to call it homophobic.

Meanwhile, a national Ifop poll by magazine La Lettre de l'Opinion released Wednesday found that 65% of the country favors same-sex marriage, according to the AFP. The poll also found a majority support the right of same-sex couples to adopt children.