Monday, February 12, 2007

Italian Catholics Tell Pope To Butt Out Of Gay Partner Debate

(Rome) In a stinging rebuke of Pope Benedict XVI's condemnation of legislation granting limited rights to same-sex couples a group of well known Italian Catholics Thursday told the Vatican it had no business interfering in politics.

A civil partnership bill is expected to be presented in Italy's lower house within days. It was approved by the cabinet last week.

On Monday the Pope labeled the bill as "subversive" and the Vatican has issued a statement saying Catholic politicians have a duty to defeat the measure.

"Should such an intervention take place ... it would destroy the freedom and dignity of Catholic lawmakers in parliament," former Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro told la Repubblica. Scalfaro is a highly regarded Catholic. He attends mass daily and has said he has discussions with the Virgin Mary.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Pope: Gay Unions 'Subversive'



(Rome) As the government of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi prepares to introduce legislation in Parliament to create civil unions for same-sex couples and opposite-sex pairs who do not wish to marry Pope Benedict XVI blasted the plan on Monday as "subversive".

"No law made by man can subvert the law made by the Creator without society being drastically damaged in its foundations," the Pope declared in a speech to Catholic academics. He went on to say that recognizing anything less than the marriage of opposite-sex couples would "penalize children, weaken the family and underline society's future with laws that clearly contrast with natural law".

The papal attack was the latest in a series of on same-sex unions that have grown increasingly harsh as the Italian bill advances.

Friday, February 9, 2007

Pope Attacks Proposed Italian Gay Unions Law

(Vatican City) Pope Benedict XVI delivered a blistering attack Friday on the government of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi over legislation that would create civil unions for gay and lesbian couples.

"The Catholic Church will continue to proclaim ceaselessly the inalienable greatness of human dignity," Benedict said, calling on Catholics in legislatures and the judiciary to ensure that "laws always are the expression of principles which promote the authentic common good."

Popes seldom directly involve themselves in Italian politics under an accord reached after the unification of Italy when the Vatican was accorded statehood within Italy. Instead they make general and diplomatic remarks that leave little doubt about their intent.

The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano is more direct usually serving at the "unofficial" voice of the Pope. Friday it said that the proposed law "wounded" the family as an institution.