Research from the University of New England showed many couples in such facilities are unable to have normal sexual relationships.

This is because of systematic and illegal breaches of their privacy, the study stated.

The study is to be published this month in the journal "Elder Law".

The research stated vehement opposition from religious conservatives meant Australian lawmakers failed to adequately protect the rights of elderly citizens.

"Couples may be separated or provided with single beds only, unable to push them together," the paper stated.

"Staff frequently enter without knocking, commonly ignore ‘do not disturb' signs and often gossip about residents.

"Some Australian aged-care facilities will still segregate sexes, including married couples, and many ignore the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and interest residents."

It was also noted that there was no mandatory staff training about how to respect and respond to consensual sexual relationships between residents.

The paper's lead author, Alison Rahn, noted that a charter of residents' rights was instituted in the 1980s.

"The original version protected the sexual rights of residents," she said.

"But the Catholic Church made sure that was expunged.

"However, the charter still says their privacy must be respected and they have the right to socialise with whoever they choose and to take risks.

"You could read into that to say residents have the right to have their relationships protected, but the reality is much different in most facilities, which are commonly run by religious institutions and charities."

Ms Rahn is a self-described sex therapist and sex educator.

She said rooms in aged-care facilities needed to be built large enough to allow for double beds.

She added that institutionalised separation of couples once they entered aged care should be stopped.

The paper calls for specific human rights legislation for older Australians.

It also calls for laws to be strengthened to protect couples entering aged care together.

Those who form relationships after entering aged care should also be protected, the paper stated.

Sources

• The Guardian
• Alison Rahn website
• Image: Patheos

The event, involving 239 couples and several priests, took place on the property of St Filomena Church in Mena.

The main reason for the combined wedding was the desire to assist the issuing of marriage certificates by the state.

This is a notoriously drawn out process in Indonesia.

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According to an AFP report, a flyer was put out by Tarbes et Lourdes diocese touting a "couples weekend".

"Come to Lourdes to say I love you," the flyer stated.

It featured the silhouettes of a man and a woman holding hands.

The AFP report stated the French "sanctuary's treasurer" Thierry Castillo insisted that the invitation is "open to all kinds of couples - married, not married, homosexual . . . ".

He noted however, that unmarried couples, straight or gay, could not expect the blessing of the Catholic Church.

As of late Friday, around 100 couples had made online reservations for the Valentine's weekend, the diocese's communications director David Torchala told AFP.

But the spokesman added that none of the couples were gay.

"We'll see who turns up. The goal is not to know who they are, the idea is to welcome all couples so that they entrust their love to the Lord. It's a prayer for couples" to be led Tarbes et Lourdes diocese's Bishop Nicolas Brouwet, Mr Torchala said.

"This initiative aims to extend God's love to all. It's a first," he said.

Mr Torchala noted that "Operation St Valentines" fits in with the theme of the Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis.

But the spokesman said couples cannot expect a "nuptial blessing" or "ecclesiastical act".

A recent study concluding that Lourdes's souvenir shops and hotels are "doing steadily worse".

The study found that arrivals decreased by about a quarter between 2009 and 2014.

Tourism director Pascale Fourticq said the town plans to reorient its strategy to appeal to wealthier visitors.

In October, Lourdes will host a fair for tour operators to generate interest in higher-end stays.

But mayor Josette Bourdeu does not want to sacrifice its identity.

"The sick (seeking healing) must remain the city's DNA," she said.

Sources

• AFP
• The Telegraph
• Image: Hotel Angelic