NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      MADRID (CWNews.com) - Catholics in the Spanish region of Catalonia protested on Wednesday against new regulations giving homosexual and lesbian couples some of the rights traditionally given to married couples.

      The new law gives same-sex couples the same inheritance and alimony rights as married couples, but does not allow adoption. "This law is institutionalizing the immoral behaviour of homosexuality," the Spanish bishops' conference said in a statement. "The Church cannot condone homosexuality." Homosexual groups applauded the measure as opening the door to same-sex marriage. "The law is a positive step because for the first time the homosexual couple is being recognized as a form of marriage, and is being given rights accordingly," said Jordi Petit, secretary general of the Barcelona-based International Gay and Lesbian Association.

      Petit dismissed the bishops' conference's remarks as unacceptable and meddling. "This is the first time that this kind of law has been passed in a Catholic country, and serves as an important reference for Latin American nations," Petit said.