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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pope's take on same sex civil unions surprises retired bishop

Pope's take on same sex civil unions surprises retired bishop

Published Oct 22, 2020 10:45 am

Pope Francis alleged support for same sex civil unions shocked a Catholic prelate.

Retired Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes (Pagadian Diocese / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO)

Retired Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said if the report is true, such a statement coming from a pontiff was shocking as it is contrary to divine law.

"For me this is a shocking statement coming from a Pope. In my opinion this is contrary to divine law which explicitly permits only the union of man and woman or of opposite sexes of male or female, whatever that union is: civil, legal or sacramental," he said in an interview Thursday.

"I have very serious doubts about the moral correctness of this latest statement of Pope Francis," added Bastes.

He is concerned that such statement might sow "confusion" among the faithful.

"I am really scandalized by his defense of homosexual union, which surely leads to immoral acts!" Bastes said.

Other prelates chose not to comment on the matter as they have yet to read his remarks and the context it was made.

"I have to see the context of his remarks and when he made them and to see what he was referring to," retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani said.

Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon also chose not to comment on the matter, saying the pontiff might have been "misinterpreted" only.

"I withhold my take on this because we have not received any official statement from the Vatican about this," he said.

"As it happened in the past, his words are often misinterpreted by the media," added Baylon.

In the documentary "Francesco" that aired on Wednesday, Pope Francis has been quoted as saying "what we have to have is a civil union law, that way they are legally covered".

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