The New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference has come out in support of Pope Francis, who has widely quoted recently as supporting same-sex civil unions. Civil unions for same-sex couples have been available in Aotearoa New Zealand since 26 April 2005. Bishop Patrick Dunn, Bishop of Auckland and President of the NZ Catholic Bishops’ Conference has Read more
Pope Francis has again indicated support for same-sex civil unions. His most recent comments were made in “Francesco,” a new documentary on his life and ministry. The film premiered Oct. 21 as part of the Rome Film Festival. In the film, Francis says that “Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. Read more
New Zealand’s Anglican Church voted this week to bless gay relationships. But it still won’t marry homosexual couples in church. The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia’s vote lets ministers bless gay couples in same-sex civil marriages or civil unions. The vote happened at the church’s biannual synod in New Plymouth this week. Read more
A second senior Vatican official has spoken in favour of civil recognition of same-sex unions — but has said they can never be equivalent to marriage. Archbishop Piero Marini, who served for 18 years as Pope John Paul II’s liturgical Master of Ceremonies, said “there are many couples that suffer because their civil rights aren’t Read more