Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The call of Pope Francis for allowing same-sex couples to get into legally recognized civil unions was not an endorsement of same-sex marriage, retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani said on Saturday in an interview over Catholic AM radio Radio Veritas.
鈥淲hat he asks to be created is a law of civil union which will protect the dignity of even homosexuals. That鈥檚 the shortest summary. What he is asking for is a law of civil union which will protect the dignity of homosexual also and allow them to live in society in peace,鈥澛� Bacani said.
Continuing in Filipino, he said: 鈥淲hat the pope wants is that we love even those who have erred 鈥� even homosexuals. As they say, they are children of God. Love them. Don鈥檛 turn them away. And there聽should be a law of civil union so that other people will not harm them or disregard their rights or their humanity.鈥�
Pope Francis made his remark at the premiere of the documentary 鈥淔rancesco鈥� at the Rome Film Festival.
鈥淲hat we have to create is a law of civil union. They have the right to be legally protected. I have defended that,鈥� the pope said.
The documentary, which was created by Evgeny Afineevsky, focuses on Pope Francis and his adventures.
[atm]