Pope Francis. Photo: ReutersPope Francis says same-sex couples should be protected by civil union laws in the clearest language he has used on the rights of gay people, prompting praise from liberals and calls for urgent clarification from conservatives. "What we have to create is a civil union law. The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual tendencies are not sinful but homosexual acts are. "The Pope’s statement clearly contradicts what has been the long-standing teaching of the Church about same-sex unions.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 22, 2020 01:30 UTC