Pope Francis' support for same-sex civil union laws not yet official Church stand —Filipino priest

Pope Francis’ call on governments to create laws protecting same-sex civil union is not an official stand of the Catholic Church, Fr. Francis Lucas, the president of the Catholic Media Network, said Friday.

Lucas was reacting to the Pope's remark made in the documentary “Francesco” where the leader of over one billion Catholics said, “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.”

“Wala pang sinasabi ang Vatican na iyon ang stand ng Simbahan. The Pope said it in his interview, pero wala pang technical at legal na sinasabi ang Simbahan tungkol rito,” Lucas told Dobol B sa News TV.

“Hindi ito bahagi ng doktrina sa ngayon. Opinyon iyon ng Santo Papa,” he added.

Lucas, however, said that the Catholic Church has been very clear in its position that dignity of all persons must be respected, including homosexuals.

“We should not mistreat homosexuals. Huwag natin sila pahirapan, lalo na roon within sa mga pamilya nila kasi iyon ang traditionally na nangyayari,” he said.

Lucas also said that it is possible that the Catholic Church will be open for discussions on giving legal protection to same-sex civil unions.

“Tingin ko, basta hindi gagalawin na iyong marriage ay between man and a woman, kasi sagrado iyon. Kung civil union, puwedeng pag-usapan in legal terms,” he said.

Personally, Lucas said that he has nothing against legal protection for same-sex civil unions.

“Malinaw na ang dignidad ng lahat ng tao ay dapat ipagtanggol ng Simbahan,” Lucas added.

Under the Family Code of the Philippines, marriage is between a man and a woman.

Lawmakers pushing for civil partnership bill in Congress, however, saw hope in Pope Francis' reported support for laws protecting same-sex civil union.

Under House Bill 2264, filed by Davao Del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez, all benefits and protections as granted to spouses in a marriage under existing laws, administrative orders, court rulings, or those derived as a matter of public policy will also be enjoyed by civil partnership couples.  —KBK, GMA News