Ottawa, Canada, May 5, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Canada’s draft legislation on same-sex marriage passed second reading in Parliament Wednesday because Prime Minister Paul Martin’s Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party do not recognize the significance of freedom of conscience and religion, said the president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).
The NDP members of Parliament, as well as Liberal MPs who are parliamentary secretaries and Cabinet ministers, were obliged to vote on Bill C-38 according to party lines, noted Archbishop Brendan O’Brien.
“The failure of political parties to respect freedom of conscience and religion is an ominous sign for the future,” the archbishop remarked.
In a written statement, the CCCB expressed its concern and disappointment that Bill C-38 passed second reading. The bill will now go to a special legislative committee before returning to the House of Commons for third and final reading. The bishops have urged the committee to hold public hearings across the country.