Bishop's gay vote orders split MPs

news.com.au ^ | 29 March 2007 | Phillip Pullella

[Aussie Dasher]

A DIRECTIVE by Italian bishops ordering Catholic politicians to vote against gay rights legislation has caused a political uproar and prompted fresh charges of Church interference in domestic affairs.

The long-awaited note, issued yesterday by the Italian Bishops Conference, was significant because it specifically targeted politicians as they consider a law to give homosexual and heterosexual unmarried couples more rights.

While not specifying any punishment by the Church, it says Catholics could not hide behind "the principle of pluralism" or compromise on what it called the ethical needs of society.

The note said Catholic politicians had "the moral duty to clearly and publicly voice their disagreement and vote against any proposed law that would recognise homosexual couples".

While some Catholic and centrist politicians welcomed the directive as food for thought, other lawmakers and civil rights groups condemned it as outright interference.

"This continuous, daily interference by the Church in Parliament's activity is intolerable," said leftist senator Luisa Boccia.

"What's next, excommunication?"

Italians and their government are deeply split over gay rights.

[Aussie Dasher]

Good to see some Bishops with guts!

[ladtx]

"What's next, excommunication?"

Bingo!

[livius]

I was in Italy in February, when it was known that the Vatican was going to do this, and the politicians were all atwitter because it has been so long since they were expected to act and vote in a way that supported the principles of their supposed faith that they weren't quite sure how to handle it!

[sgtbono2002]

The Church has always said homosexuality was wrong. Now they are interfering with domestic affairs if they tell Catholic Politicians what they should already know?

[little jeremiah]

Later read/pingout.

[Campion]

"What's next, excommunication?"

Works for me.