World News
Hong Kong cardinal objects to extending domestic violence law to gays
Published: January 7, 2009
HONG KONG (CNS) -- Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong and some Christian legislators have objected to a proposed amendment that would extend a law on domestic violence to cover same-sex cohabitants. The Asian church news agency UCA News reported that a Jan. 5 statement from the cardinal said extending the law to same-sex couples would "definitely lead to a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the concepts of marriage and family, thereby undermining the foundation of our society." Even though the church fully agrees that everyone, irrespective of background, must be protected from any form of violence, "distorted concepts of marriage and family will bring about other serious consequences," he said. He added that the well-being of local families is a core social value that must be safeguarded. Cardinal Zen said he is obliged to appeal to the government to make "the common good of our society the basis of its legislation on marriage and family." Later this year Hong Kong's Legislative Council is scheduled to convene a public hearing on the bill, which would amend the 1986 Domestic Violence Ordinance, UCA News reported.
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