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EUROPE-HOMOPHOBIA Jan-20-2006 (280 words) xxxi
Homophobia vote is attempt to legalize gay unions, says church leader
By Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A European Parliament resolution condemning homophobia is a thinly veiled attempt to pressure European countries to grant legal recognition to gay unions, said the secretary of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences.
Msgr. Aldo Giordano told Vatican Radio Jan. 19 the Catholic Church opposed discrimination against any person, but the resolution was an attempt to "equate the homosexual experience with the family."
The resolution passed Jan. 18 by a vote of 468-149, with 41 abstentions.
It called on countries belonging to the European Union and on European institutions to adopt measures to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation.
But it also said "unjustified and unreasonable limitations" of the rights of homosexuals "are often hidden behind justifications based on public order, religious freedom and the right to conscientious objection."
The resolution also said, "Same-sex partners in some member states do not enjoy all of the rights and protections enjoyed by married opposite-sex partners and consequently suffer discrimination and disadvantage."
The motion urged European nations "to enact legislation to end discrimination faced by same-sex partners in the areas of inheritance, property arrangements, tenancies, pensions, tax (and) social security."
Msgr. Giordano said the resolution was presented and voted on quickly, without adequate time for a real discussion or exploration of prevailing attitudes and practices in the European Union.
"Sometimes it seems there is the domination (within the European Parliament) of a certain ideology of pluralism which sees everything that exists as something good," he said. "There really is lacking a reflection on what is truly human, what is human richness, what is good and evil, what is truth."
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Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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