India's bishops decry court decision to decriminalize gay sex

July 02, 2009

Catholic Church leaders in India have reacted strongly against a ruling by the Delhi high court that struck down laws against homosexual acts. The court ruled that a ban on consensual sex by gay partners violated the principle of equality before the law.

Father Babu Joseph, a spokesman for the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, expressed "shock and anguish" at the court's decision. "We will challenge this verdict,” he said. Church leaders remain hopeful that the nation's supreme court will reverse the decision.

 

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Further information:

• Indian court decriminalizes consensual gay sex (AP)
• Indian bishops at odds over decriminalization of homosexual acts (CWN, Jul 1)