(ANSA) - Turin, September 28 - Two former nuns, Federica
and Isabel, on Wednesday formally registered that they are in a
civil union in a sober, private ceremony in the town of
Pinerolo, near Turin.
Italy does not recognise gay marriage but it recently
passed a law acknowledging civil unions that gives stable
couples of the same sex many of the rights enjoyed by
heterosexual married couples.
Federica, a 44-year-old from southern Italy and Isabel,
who is from South America, met at a convent and then fell in
love while working together at a centre for drug addicts.
The couple decided to move the ceremony forward by a day
to avoid being at the centre of media attention after Turin
daily La Stampa reported on their plans to seal their union.
"It was a simple ceremony but one that the couple were
profoundly moved by," said Pinerolo Mayor Luca Salvai, who
presided over the ceremony.
"They decided to bring the union forward by 24 hours to
avoid a media hubbub and keep the maximum degree of privacy.
"We in the council are not looking for publicity either,"
added Salvai, a member of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement
(M5S).
"It's their celebration and, personally, I'm happy to
have helped them realise their desire".
After the civil ceremony the couple were set to have
another, private one, presided over by a former priest.
Former nuns tie 'civil union' knot
Couple met at convent, fell in lover working with drug addicts