A homophobia bill the Vatican says
may breach its concordat with Italy does not curb freedom of
expression, centre-left Democratic Party (PD) leader Enrico
Letta told an ANSA Forum Wednesday.
In an informal communique to the Italian embassy to Holy See,
the Vatican said Tuesday the so-called Zan bill could breach the
1929 Lateran Treaty that regulates relations between the Italian
State and the Catholic Church if it becomes law.
The rightwing League party has been especially active in trying
to block the Zan bill, describing it as "divisive and
ideological" and arguing it could hamper freedom of expression.
Letta reiterated to ANSA that "it is a measure that does not
restrict the freedom of expression but has the aim of
intervening against hate crimes.
"We are strongly convinced of the need for the measure, not to
plant a flag but because we believe that the daily lives of so
many, too many Italians without this norm is a worse life.
"It is a norm of civilisation".
Letta said what the Draghi government - which he hoped would
stay in office until 2023 - says on the row would be "very
important".
"We will watch what the government tells us because it is the
holder of the relations with the Holy See, it is not a question
inherent in Italian debate but (concerns) juridical relations
between two States, regulated by the Concordat.
"My impressions, having read (the Vatican's) observations is
that the bill does not affect the kind of concern on school
autonomy and the freedom of expression, it is an intervention
against hate crimes but does not limit the freedom of
expression".
One of the Vatican's strictures about the bill is that it sets
up an anti-homophobia and anti-transphobia day which would have
to be celebrated in Italy's Catholic private schools too.
Earlier Wednesday Lower House Speaker Roberto Fico said that the
Italian parliament would not stand for any meddling on the bill
against homophobia after the Vatican raised its concerns about
it.
"Parliament is sovereign," Fico told RAI television. "The
parliamentarians decide how they want to vote in independent
way.
"The Zan bill has been approved by the House and is now in the
Senate.
"We, as the parliament, do no accept interference. "Parliament
is sovereign and will remain so forever".
The Zan bill features measures to prevent and combat
discrimination and violence based on motives linked to a
person's sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.
It would make such acts an aggravating factor in felonies, like
racism already is.
The Holy See's communique reportedly said the bill could affect
the religious freedom that the Lateran Treaty guarantees the
Catholic church.
Several of Italy's centre-right parties oppose the Zan bill and
an alternative homophobia bill has been presented by Silvio
Berlusconi's Forza Italia (FI) and Matteo Salvini's League.
The League has strongly and repeatedly argued the bill could
hamper freedom of expression.
The Zan bill's backers say this is not true, arguing the text
has safeguards to ensure that, for example, Catholic politicians
can still publicly say they think homosexuality is sinful.
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