Same-Sex civil unions in Italy: Historical betrayal by Catholic politicians
The approval of homosexual pseudo-marriage in the
Senate on February 25th 2016, with 173 in favor, 71 against and 76 abstentions
is the last stage in the process of dissolution of Italian society which began
with the introduction of divorce (1970), then the legalization of abortion
(1978) and has as its next, imminent step, the legalization of euthanasia. With
that in mind, we understand the exaltation of the secular press: “In the long
and tortuous history of sexual liberation in Italy – writes Francesco Merlo in
“La Repubblica”, February 26th – this law has the same epochal importance as
the law on divorce and the law that regulates abortion”.
What these three events have in common is an act of
betrayal committed by men in Catholic government. Divorce passed under a
centre-left government presided over by the Christian Democrat, Emilio Colombo.
Abortion was passed by a Christian Democrat government, presided over by Giulio
Andreotti. The Christian Democrats were brought down, yet the principal figures
responsible for this new law, Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi and the Minister for
Internal Affairs, Angelino Alfano depict themselves as practicing Catholics
just like Colombo and Andreotti.
If Minster Alfano had threatened to resign he would
have made the passing of this law impossible (or at least would have had it
deferred). However, the Sicilian politician preferred to act like Andreotti,
who wrote in his diary on January 27th 1977: “Session in Montecitorio for the
vote on abortion. Passes with 310 in favor and 296 against. I considered the
question of my countersignature on this law, (also Leone* has the same problem
about his signature), yet if I should refuse, not only will we open a crisis
just(after having …) begun to block the leaks, for besides being damaged by the
law on abortion the DC [the Christian Democrats] would also lose the presidency
and [this] would really be much more serious.” (Diaries 1976-1979. The Years of
Solidarity, Rizzoli, Milan, 1981, pp. 73). The loss of the presidency of a
government was considered much graver than the murder, permitted by law, of
millions of innocent children.
What is foreseen in the legislation that carries
the name of Monica Cirinnà? The law on civil unions, as the jurist Alberto
Gambino explained in “Libero” on January 26th, is a para-matrimonial
institution, in which the same rights and duties of matrimony are foreseen:
moral and material aid, cohabitation, patrimonial rights, privileges regarding
work, benefits, taxes, assignment of accommodation, even a common name and the
sharing of material goods. The only matrimonial right not recognized is that of
adoption, but Minister Cirinnà has announced that “a bill on adoptions for
homosexual couples is almost ready. It will be incardinated in Parliament,
where the numbers are certain, so that it arrives iron-clad in the Senate.”
(“Il Fatto Quotidiano” February 26th). If this should not suffice, Europe will take
care of the rest. In fact, the European Court for the Rights of Man, has
established that once it is inserted into the ordering of an institution equal
to matrimony, even if called “civil union” the introduction of adoptions
becomes obligatory in order to avoid discriminations.
The Cirinnà law, now the Renzo-Alfano law, albeit
the removal of homosexual adoptions, is in itself, iniquitous and unacceptable,
not only as it introduces homosexual pseudo-matrimony, but also because it
gives rights to homosexuals for being homosexual. According to Catholic
doctrine, but even before that, the natural law, homosexuality, or sodomy, is a
vice that subverts the principles of the moral order. Yet, Angelino Alfano
declared on Agorà, TV Rai3: “I have never threatened the government on the
matter of adoptions for homosexual families, I will do every I can to reach an
agreement (…).I’ll vote yes to the Cirinnà Bill, if they remove the adoptions
for homosexuals. I’m also in favour of the rights of homosexual couples. I’m
absolutely open” (“La Repubblica”, February 5th 2016).
Merlo is right then when he writes: “whichever way
you look at it, this law is another Porta Pia”,** since it ‘de-Vaticanizes’
(i.e. ‘de-Christianizes’ ) Italy”. (“La Repubblica” February 26th 2016). Yet,
how can we ignore the ecclesiastical hierarchy’s responsibility in this
de-Christianization of Italy? The Vatican reporter Giuseppe Rusconi notes that
“bitterness and anger” besides being directed at Catholic politicians “are also
aimed at another target: the Secretary General of the Italian Bishop’s
Conference, Bishop Nunzio Galantino” (Rossoporpora” February 26th), top
exponent of the “reaching-out Church” that instead “ of open and even hard
discussion, particularly on issues regarding the family and life, prefers an
all out imprecise dialogue with the power that is developed in corridors and
friendly encounters”. In addition, not a word has been heard from the one who
occupies the office as Bishop of Rome and is Primate of Italy.
In this respect, the law approved by the Senate is
a serious defeat for all Catholics, including those who called the removal of
the adoption of children by homosexuals (stepchild adoption) “a victory” for
Family Day. It was precisely this “victory” however, that made the Renzi-Alfano
agreement possible and which, as a result, has been a huge defeat for the
Catholic world.
Any demonstration in the piazza is always a strong
message sent to someone and the importance of Family Day is the fact that it
happened. The Italian Catholic world has always been averse to grand public
demonstrations since it has always tried to avoid open clashes with the
adversary under the illusion of winning through compromise. We need to be happy
then about the January 30th demonstration, as it revealed the militant spirit
of a people from all over Italy gathered together through effort and sacrifice
to allow their voice to be heard. However, we mustn’t confuse the base of
Family Day with the representatives of the Catholic world. We mustn’t confuse the
intentions and plans of the organizers of the demonstration with the strong
message coming from that piazza.
The people of Family Day are a people that have
lost a battle, but are determined to continue the war. And is doing so starting
today, by marshaling for a integrally abrogative referendum of the law which
introduces homosexual unions in Italy.
The next appointment is the March for Life in Rome
on May 8th.
