Three Democratic Party (PD)
Senators said Thursday Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco was out of line
when he urged a secret vote on the government's civil unions
bill, aspects of which some Catholic lawmakers object to.
"Intervening on voting procedures fully merits being
called interference in affairs of State," Senator Sergio Lo
Giudice (PD) told ANSA.
"The Senate Speaker not the CEI chief decides how to
regulate Senate debate," said Parliamentary Relations
Undersecretary Luciano Pizzetti (PD).
"I ask for respect for the institutions of the Italian
Republic," Deputy House Speaker Valeria Fedeli (PD) told ANSA.
Bagnasco, who heads the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI),
on Thursday called for a secret vote on the bill in the name of
freedom of conscience.
"We hope freedom of conscience on fundamental issues for
the life of society and individuals is not only respected but
promoted with a secret ballot," said the Genoa archbishop.
The bill now before the Senate would extend to committed
gay couples some of the same rights and protections currently
enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.
In Italy, the principle of separation between church and
state is enshrined in Article 7 of the Constitution.
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