Bagnasco calls for secret vote

(ANSA) - Genoa, February 11 - The head of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI), Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, on Thursday called for a secret vote on a civil-unions bill to protect freedom of conscience on the contested bill. "We hope freedom of conscience on fundamental issues for the life of society and persons is not only respected but promoted with a secret ballot," said the Genoa archbishop. Catholics within the ruling Democratic Party and in conservative parties are against the bill, and especially its provision for stepchild adoption.