Saturday, December 13, 2008

Italy: Vatican opposes outlawing homosexuality

The Roman Catholic Church does not want to outlaw homosexuals, although it remains opposed to same-sex marriages, the head of the Vatican press office, Father Federico Lombardi, said on Thursday.

Lombardi was commenting on controversy triggered by the Holy See's decision to oppose a proposal by France, backed by the 27-nation European Union, for a United Nations resolution calling governments to decriminalise homosexuality.

"No one can want to defend the death penalty for homosexuals," he said, quoted by Vatican Radio.

Italian gay rights group Arcigay President Aurelio Mancuso welcomed Lombardi's comments, saying they heralded a "historic and stunning U-turn" by the Vatican.

"We have succeeded in our objective, which is to enable millions of gay, lesbian and transsexuals to finally live their lives openly, without fear of reprisals," said Mancuso.

The Vatican's observer at the UN, Monsignor Celestino Migliore, objected last week that the UN declaration will be used by countries to recognise same-sex marriages.

The declaration makes no mention of gay marriage or civil partnerships. It is supported by 54 nations including Italy and all 26 other European Union states.

Gay rights groups in Italy have over the past ten days staged demonstrations to protest what they say is the Vatican's apparent willingness to ally itself with those who treat gay people as criminals.

Homosexuality is currently a crime in more than 85 countries.

It is punishable by death in a number of them, including Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen.
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(Source: AKI)