Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Friburg (Fides Service) - On Sunday June 5 Switzerland is called to a referendum on two questions: the Schengen Agreement with the European Union and the “civil pact of solidarity” or same ex unions. An affirmative result would mean same sex couples will be granted juridical recognition all over the country and Cantons which already have a law on this question must adapt it to the federal law. Switzerland already recognises same sex unions registered in other countries with what is termed “civil pact”.
The Swiss law has been in the making for two or three years Rev. Agnell Rickenmann, Secretary General of the Bishops’ Conference told Fides. “From the onset - said Rev. Agnell - the Bishops said the law was too similar to family legislation and that therefore they could not give their approval. Except for adoption, fertility treatment and the question of change of name, the law is identical to the marriage law in our country and can therefore on no account be accepted because it undermines matrimony”.
The question was discussed by Secretaries of European Bishops Conferences meeting last week in S Gallen (see Fides 1/6/2005), said Rev. Agnell. “Models vary in Europe, although there is a general tendency to legalise this type of union. In Spain for example the government is pushing for one marriage contract valid for any union of two persons, whether of different sex, same sex or different sex who decide to live together for economic reasons. Holland instead has different contracts for different types of union. The Swiss model is in between: not as radical as Spain’s but not as differentiated as the Dutch model. It is a mixed form, slightly diverse from matrimony while clearly reflecting marriage and this is the main objection”.
Earlier this year the Swiss Bishops expressed their objection to the proposal in a statement dated 29 April and entitled “False solution for a real problem” in which they said this sort of recognition should be avoided at all costs since “it would be highly problematic from the social point of view” because “it privileges without any evident reason one specific group of citizens since the model for a registered union, despite some restrictions, resembles closely the institution of matrimony”. The Bishops affirm they cannot approve a law which grants the same privileges as matrimony for a union which can never have the same function as matrimony in and for the state.
Rev. Agnell Rickenmann said the situation in Europe is becoming generalised because of general weakness in society, a lack of understanding of anthropology, the human person as such combined with a materialist vision of humanity. On the other hand society tends towards the dissolution of the values of Christian anthropology judged to be restricted, ineffective and not suited to present day needs. Homosexual movements and groups are lobbying hard in many countries to obtain what they call “anti-discrimination” laws. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 3/6/2005, righe 42, parole 534)
