Gay-rights opponents have human rights too, Vatican delegate reminds UN
March 22, 2011
At a UN session in Geneva, the Vatican's delegate has argued that respect for fundamental human rights should not be used as a pretext for forcing public acceptance of homosexual activity.
Archbishop Silvano Tomasi condemned “all violence that is targeted against people because of their sexual feelings and thoughts, or sexual behaviors.” But he also urged the UN to recognize a “disturbing trend” toward intolerance of those who express moral opposition to homosexual behavior.
"People are being attacked for taking positions that do not support sexual behavior between people of the same sex," said Archbishop Tomasi. Those who voice opposition to homosexual acts can be stigmatized, harassed, and even prosecuted, he said. "These attacks are violations of fundamental human rights and cannot be justified under any circumstances," the archbishop said.
Archbishop Tomasi, the Vatican’s permanent representative at UN offices in Geneva, insisted on a distinction between homosexual orientation and homosexual activity. “A state should never punish a person, or deprive a person of the enjoyment of any human right, based just on the person’s feelings and thoughts, including sexual thoughts and feelings,” he said. “But states can, and must, regulate behaviors, including various sexual behaviors.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Vatican addresses UN debate on sexual orientation (Vatican Radio)
- Vatican tells U.N. that critics of gays under attack (Reuters)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: AgnesDay -
Mar. 23, 2011 11:49 AM ET USA
mamatoo85337--The Gay Agenda is a progression: decriminlization, non-discrimination, gay marriage, active acceptance, and finally compulsion to participate. The last stage is well under way among the young. I know. I taught high school, and homosexual behavior among high school students is rampant. The fields are white with harvest.
-
Posted by: -
Mar. 23, 2011 8:03 AM ET USA
My old missal states that homosexual behavior is one of the sins that cries out to Heaven for Justice. No UN regulation will cause me to think otherwise. And people need to stop saying that we should not be nasty towards homos. Enough of that, we are not doing that, so they can stop trying to appease the homosexuals: Nothing will appease them short of what their evil behavior wants to thrust upon us: Acceptance of their behavior. Never.
-
Posted by: voxfem -
Mar. 23, 2011 8:02 AM ET USA
May his words bear fruit.
