Explanatory 'Civil Partnership Bill 2009' Leaflet produced

A group of concerned people in Co. Donegal has got together to produce an excellent explanatory leaflet on the subject of the ‘Civil Partnership Bill 2009’ that is being debated in the Irish Parliament at the moment. The leaflet uses the statement issued by the Irish Bishops’ Conference about the Bill, setting out the teaching of the Catholic Church in relation to marriage and the family. The ‘Civil Partnership Bill’ would totally undermine marriage and the family – the bedrock of society. The leaflet states:

‘The Bill fails to recognize the special position of marriage. Under the Bill same sex partnerships are virtually equivalent to marriage.

‘It is a grave injustice if the State ignores the unique and proper place of husbands and wives, the place of mothers and fathers, and especially the rights of children, who deserve from society a clear understanding of marriage as they grow to maturity.

‘Without protection and support for the unique place of marriage in society the State would, in effect, intentionally deprive children of their right to a mother and a father.

‘Male-female complementarity is intrinsic to marriage. It is naturally ordered toward sexual union in a faithful, committed relationship as the basis for the generation of new life. The true nature of marriage, lived in openness to life, bears witness to the preciousness of the gift of a child and to the unique roles of a mother and father.’

The leaflet also refers to the sanctions liable under the Bill for anybody who declares a conscientious objection to carrying out provisions of the Bill –

‘Registrars who refuse on the grounds of conscience to carry out a ceremony for same sex couples will face fines and up to six months in prison. Christians, Jews and Muslims, or anyone else, who refuses to make halls and other facilities available for a celebration or reception connected with a same sex partnership will face prosecution and fines.’

Copies of the leaflet can be ordered directly by contacting: Browne Printers Ltd., Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (phone: 0749121387)

Further information about the ‘Civil Partnership Bill’ is available on numerous recent ELN blogs.