ITALY: Prime Minister Matteo Renzi Tells Catholic Church To Stay Out Of The Civil Unions Debate

Reuters reports:

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi rejected on Friday the Roman Catholic Church’s interference in a parliamentary debate on legislation that offers homosexual couples legal recognition and limited adoption rights.

Renzi spoke a day after the head of the Italian bishops’ conference, Angelo Bagnasco, urged the upper house Senate to allow secret balloting when it votes on the bill, arguing this would allow lawmakers to follow their conscience.

Italy is the only major Western country that has not yet recognized gay civil unions. “Parliament decides whether or not to allow secret votes … not the head of the bishops’ conference,” Renzi said during an interview with RAI state radio.

“What is there to fear from two people who love each other? Why not give these rights to two people who love each other? The majority of the country is clearly in favor of it.”

Some members of Renzi’s ruling center-left coalition and of his own party have said they oppose aspects of the legislation, such as allowing unmarried couples to adopt each other’s children.