Hagatna, Guam, Jan 27, 2010 / 00:51 am
The Catholic Church in Guam has submitted a petition to oppose the controversial Bill 185 that would legalize same-sex unions in U.S. territory in Guam. Discussion on the new legislation in Guam's Senate was scheduled for this week but has been delayed until next month, giving those who oppose the bill more time to gather support.
ABC Radio Australia aired a discussion on Jan. 26 between Guam Senator Benjamin Cruz who proposed the legislation last year and Deacon Jeff Barcinas, spokesman for Archbishop Anthony Apuron.
“It's a civil rights issue,” argued Sen. Cruz on Tuesday, who stated that he believed it to be unfair that homosexual citizens in Guam are allegedly denied the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts.“You're denying individuals the right to unions that they should be able to get into. But more importantly, you're denying them the equal protection of the law.”
Deacon Barcinas countered Sen. Cruz's statements by saying that though the Church is “sensitive” and “compassionate” concerning homosexual individuals, Church teaching “is consistent and uniform throughout the universal Church and with Guam we have to share the truth in terms of what the Church stands for with regard to civil union(s) and with regard to what this legislation is putting forward as an issue for Guam.”