ROME, March 27 (UPI)

A bill giving rights to Italy’s cohabitating couples would undermine the sacred bond of marriage and harm society, the new head of Italy’s bishops said. Monsignor Angelo Bagnasco said the Catholic Church is doing its duty, not interfering with national politics, by objecting to the Dico bill, the Italian news agency ANSA reported Tuesday. The legislation would allow straight or gay couples to register their unions and then be eligible for some financial, inheritance and next-of-kin rights, ANSA said. On Monday, Bagnasco opened his first session of the bishops’ council, during which participants planned to write guidelines for Catholic politicians on how to act on the Dico bill. Some lawmakers have described such behavior as interference, ANSA reported. How can the insistent remarks of the pope and bishops on this subject be interpreted as an abuse, or as illicit interference, or as indelicate or even disproportionate acts? Bagnasco said.

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