Cardinal Müller cautions: Italian civil-union proposal must not compromise marriage

February 25, 2016

The prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has echoed an argument by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, saying that same-sex unions can never be considered equivalent to marriage.

Cardinal Gerhard Müller made his comment on February 25, just after Cardinal Pietro Parolin had made the same point during a reception with Italian officials. Both cardinals were obviously referring to the Italian government’s drive for legal registration of civil unions. Neither cardinal spoke directly about that proposal.

Politicians must serve the community and not impose a false ideology,” Cardinal Müller said. He added that in making this comment he was not interfering with Italian secular politics. Rather, he said, “it is to say to the politicians to respect the human nature over which they aren’t masters.”

 

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Further information:

• Two Vatican cardinals hit Italy’s civil unions proposal (Crux)
• Vatican Secretary of State avoids direct opposition to Italian civil-union legislation (CWN, 2/24)