IRELAND/SAME-SEX UNION: Gay and lesbian lobby groups have accused the Vatican of being out of touch with Catholic opinion in Ireland by its opposition to same-sex unions, writes Nuala Haughey.
The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) said it was "a regrettable if not an outrageous statement for the Vatican to use the power of the church to oppose human rights for a minority in society".
Mr Kieran Rose from the network said he did not believe the Vatican's statement yesterday that same-sex unions were "deviant and a threat to society" reflected the views of Irish Catholics.
"The new Lord Mayor of Dublin has said he would support partnership rights for lesbians and gays and also said how he liked a good Mass, so I don't think this represents the views of Irish Catholicism and hopefully it will be ignored by Irish Catholics," he added.
The National Economic and Social Forum, in a recent report, recommended civil recognition of partnerships between same-sex couples and rights similar to those of married people.
While the Department of Justice has welcomed the forum's report, a spokeswoman said yesterday that it had "no plans to prepare draft legislation to amend the law in relation to marriage for gay, lesbian or bisexual persons or the law with regard to relationship rights for heterosexual or homosexual couples, nor is such a measure part of the agreed Programme for Government".
The Equality Authority said the lack of legal recognition of same-sex partnerships creates difficulties with many issues.