Italy to stop anti-homophobia law
By Maria Lina Anila
“It is an unprecedented act in the history of relations between the two states or at least, there are no public precedents,” The Vatican City has made an “unprecedented” formal diplomatic objection to a draft Italian law against homophobia.t
The so-called Zan law, which is currently being debated in Italy’s parliament, seeks to punish acts of discrimination and incitement to violence against gay, lesbian, transgender and disabled people.
Corriere della Sera newspaper records showed Vatican argued in a formal note that the bill violates Concordat, the bilateral treaty between Italy and the Holy See.
Pope Francis’ de facto foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, delivered a letter, or “note verbale”, to the Italian embassy to the Holy See on June 17.
The letter suggested that Zan law would breach Concordat by curtailing Catholic freedom of belief and expression.
This is because Catholic schools would not be exempted from an obligation to take part in a newly-created national day against homophobia, lesbophobia and transphobia.
The letter also expressed concern that Catholics could in the future face legal action for expressing opinions against LGBTI rights.
Corriere noted that even if the Holy See had “never before” taken such a step against a draft Italian law.
Neither Vatican nor the Italian foreign ministry responded to requests for comment on the Corriere report, published four days before Rome’s 2021 Gay Pride parade.
The Zan law was passed by the lower house of parliament in November, but its final approval is far from guaranteed as it faces stiff opposition from right-wing parties in the Senate.
ISKUP! 