Source: Catholic World News, Wanted in Rome
Rome, Dec. 27, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The mayor of Rome has criticized a prominent Catholic political leader for opposing gay-rights legislation.

In an open letter to the newspaper La Stampa Mayor Walter Veltroni chided Dr. Paola Binetti for her resistance against legislation that would bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Veltroni is the leader of Italy's recently created center-left Democratic party (PD). Binetti is a leading member of the same party's conservative teodem wing.

“Homosexuality is a human condition," Veltroni argued in his letter to La Stampa, "and the PD is working to recognize the rights of homosexual couples.”

Veltroni was absent last week when the city council voted 43-12 against a registry for same-sex unions. But representatives of the Democratic party, which he heads, opposed the measure.

The council has also rejected a second proposal urging parliament to pass long-awaited legislation granting some rights to cohabiting couples. Presented by the PD, this motion was opposed by the centre-right and other left-wing parties.

The proposal, presented by the radical left, was rejected by the center-right opposition and Veltroni's Partito Democratico. The PD opposed the motion on the grounds that it is not within the competence of city councils to legislate on behalf of de facto couples.

Last week, the Italian daily La Repubblica published an open letter from Veltroni attempting to explain the vote.

The mayor said that the debate on the civil-union proposal had opened a broader discussion on the issue of violence against homosexuals. That discussion, he said, would not have been possible 40 years ago.

Full article: Catholic World News : Rome's mayor chides party ally on gay-rights opposition
Rome's mayor explains civil-union bid | Catholic World News
city: Rome council rejects register for unmarried couples. | Wanted in Rome