Portuguese Church: 'Think twice about marrying Muslims'

The head of the Catholic Church in Portugal is advising Portuguese women to think twice before marrying a Muslim.

Cardinal Jose Policarpo says Christians should learn more about Islam and respect Muslims.

But he says marrying a Muslim man can bring 'a whole lot of trouble' because Christian women become subject to Muslim conventions.

Policarpo insists the Portuguese church has warm relations with the country's Muslim population of around 100,000.

Policarpo's comments were made at a public debate late Tuesday and were broadcast by local media Wednesday.

There is no recent history of animosity between Christians and Muslims in Portugal, where 85 percent of people say they are Catholic.