Civil unions for same-sex couples have been available in Aotearoa New Zealand since 26 April 2005.

Bishop Patrick Dunn, Bishop of Auckland and President of the NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference has made a public statement in relation to Francis's stance on same-sex civil union, saying:

"I endorse the reported comments of Pope Francis. I know that he is anxious for LGBTQ people to know that they are valued members of the family of the Church as they are of their own families. We want their happiness, and for them to know that they are loved."

Francis's remarks were made in a new documentary film, Francesco, that focuses on his life and teachings.

The full quote as stated in the documentary is:

"Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They're children of God, have the right to a family. You can't kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil coexistence law; they have the right to be legally covered."

Francis also made the same comments in 2019 to a Mexican journalist but they were not published at the time.

Source

• New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference
• NZ Catholic

His most recent comments were made in "Francesco," a new documentary on his life and ministry.

The film premiered Oct. 21 as part of the Rome Film Festival.

In the film, Francis says that "Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They're children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it."

The pope then suggests that civil union laws may provide a way for countries to protect the legal rights of persons in same-sex relationships.

Although the media reported the comments as "fresh" and Francis departing from previous 'teachings', he has previously spoken in favour of civil unions.

Francis first spoke about civil unions in 2013, when Argentina and facing the near-certain passage of the gay marriage bill, and the then Cardinal Bergoglio wagered on a position of greater dialogue with society and suggested civil unions as a compromise to his fellow bishops.

He was outvoted.

Then again in 2014, in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, he acknowledged that states passing civil union laws were primarily doing so in order to provide same-sex partners legal rights.

And in 2017, French author, Dominique Wolton asked him about marriage for same-sex couples and Francis replied: "Let's call this 'civil unions.' We do not joke around with the truth".

However, it is his most recent comment that has captured the world's attention and is welcomed by many on the progressive wing of the church.

One such is Jesuit Fr James Martin who has advocated for greater LGBTQ inclusion in the Church.

He labels Francis' comments 'historic'.

"First, he is saying them as Pope, not Archbishop of Buenos Aires, second, he is clearly supporting, not simply tolerating, civil unions. Third, he is saying it on camera, not privately," tweeted Martin.

However, Francis is under pressure from church conservatives such as Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island.

"The Pope's statement clearly contradicts what has been the long-standing teaching of the Church about same-sex unions," Tobin said in a statement.

"The Church cannot support the acceptance of objectively immoral relationships."

The reaction within the LGBTQ community is similarly mixed.

"This news should send an undeniable message to Catholic families with LGBTQ people that all family members are deserving of acceptance and support," said Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of the LGBTQ media advocacy organisation GLAAD.

"Pope Francis' public approval is a fundamental step forward at a time when LGBTQ acceptance around the world and across religions is expanding and rightfully becoming the norm."

And, "It is no overstatement to say that with this statement not only has the pope protected LGBTQ couples and families, but he also will save many LGBTQ lives," said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, which represents LGBTQ Catholics,

Others in the LGBTQ lobby, however, remain critical, saying Francis has taken too long to make the statement and not gone far enough and urge him to go further.

Shortly after becoming pope in 2013, he made big headlines when asked about reports of gays in the clergy, Francis answered, "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has goodwill, who am I to judge?"

Sources

• NBC News
• NY Times
• James Martin SJ
• AP
• BBC
• Catholic World Report

But it still won't marry homosexual couples in church.

The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia's vote lets ministers bless gay couples in same-sex civil marriages or civil unions.

The vote happened at the church's biannual synod in New Plymouth this week.

The vote lets bishops either grant or deny priests in their diocese permission to bless gay couples in committed relationships.

In New Zealand, the Anglican Church comprises three wings: Maori, Polynesian and Pakeha.

The three wings have debated the issue for 50 years.

Polynesians reject gay relationships

The Polynesian group opposed the motion to allow Anglicans' blessing of same-sex relationships.

It says Pacific islands will never accept it and abstained from voting.

It abstained so that it wouldn't restrict the Pakeha and Maori wings.

The motion passed finally by a large margin.

To allow Polynesian and other conservative churches to opt out of the changes, they will not form part of official liturgy.

Instead there are no written blessings. Ministers will deliver them informally.

Despite the compromise, two prominent conservatives resigned their posts.

Rev Jay Behan, a member of the ruling synod and Rev Al Drye both quit after the vote passed..

They said, "We leave with no anger or bitterness in our hearts and we wish you the best as you seek to serve the Lord Jesus Christ."

Another conservative group, the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand also dissented.

As a result of the vote's outcome, it says it believes that the General Synod acted in a way that left biblical authority behind.

It says it's ready to welcome other conservatives opposed to the decision.

Support came from Very Rev Ian Render, who is dean of Waiapu Cathedral, gay and and married.

He says, "I would like, in this late stage of my stipended ministry life, to feel as though I - and everyone else like me - finally will have a place to stand in this church."

Source:

• Newshub
• Christian Today
• Image: Newshub

Archbishop Piero Marini, who served for 18 years as Pope John Paul II's liturgical Master of Ceremonies, said "there are many couples that suffer because their civil rights aren't recognised".

Archbishop Marini, who is now the president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, was being interviewed by La Nación newspaper in Costa Rica, following a local eucharistic congress.

The archbishop made his statement in the context of a question about the meaning of a secular state.

"This is already a reality in Europe," he said. "A secular state is fine, but if it turns into a secularist state, meaning hostile to the Catholic Church, then there's something wrong.

"Church and state should not be enemies to one another. In these discussions, it's necessary, for instance, to recognise the union of persons of the same sex, because there are many couples that suffer because their civil rights aren't recognised.

"What can't be recognised is that this [union] is equivalent to marriage."

In February a similar position was expressed by Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

During a Vatican news conference, Archbishop Paglia said that while the Church is opposed to anything that treats other unions as equivalent to marriage between a man and a woman, it could accept "private law solutions" for protecting people's rights.

In his La Nación interview, Archbishop Marini was also asked what the recent change in the papacy meant.

"It's a breath of fresh air, it's opening a window on to springtime and on to hope," he said.

"We had been breathing the waters of a swamp, and it had a bad smell. We'd been in a Church afraid of everything, with problems such as Vatileaks and the paedophilia scandals. With Francis we're talking about positive things; he puts the emphasis on the positive and talks about offering hope."

Sources:

National Catholic Reporter

Vatican Insider

Image: Chronicle Herald