POPE FRANCIS SUPPORT SAME SEX CIVIL UNIONS FOR FIRST TIME AS PONTIFF
Pope
Francis has backed same sex civil unions for the first time as pontiff by
calling for the partnerships to be protected in law.
“Homosexual
people have the right to be in a family, they are children of God,” he said
while being interviewed for a feature length documentary.
He
added “what we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally
covered.
He
endorsed civil partnerships as an alternative to same-sex marriages while
serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires, however he has never backed the union as
pope.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin tweeted his praise for Pope Francis.
He
wrote: “With focus on Covid it is important we don’t miss big positive events
in the world around us”
“The
intervention of Pope Francis on the rights of gay couples is just such a
moment.
It
represents momentous leadership and will hopefully be a catalyst for change
throughout the church.”
LGBT
advocate and Jesuit priest Reverend James Martin said the Pope’s comments were
a “major step forward in the church’s support for LGBT people.”
He
added: “The pope speaking positively about civil unions also sends a strong
message to places where the church has opposed such laws.”