Church leaders denounce legalizing gay unions in Czech Republic

Published: 2006-01-25

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (CNS) -- Churches in the Czech Republic have urged politicians not to support a bill that would legalize gay unions, saying it would undermine marriage and worsen the country's already decreasing population. "The general atmosphere in Czech society isn't conducive to marital stability, family permanence and care for children," said leaders of the country's 10 largest churches. "In our democratic society, no one is persecuted, and people are free to create communities of interpersonal help outside the family. There's no justification for giving this type of homosexual partnership preferential treatment over others." Church leaders said Czechs currently have the world's second-lowest birthrate, making it essential to strengthen rather than weaken families. The lower house of the Czech legislature passed the bill to grant legal rights to same-sex partners Dec. 16. The measure was widely expected to be approved by the Senate. The Czech bishops' conference spokesman, Martin Horalek, said there was no evidence of public support for the bill.

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