BOSTON (AP) - Concerned about children with gay parents, a Roman Catholic bishop said Thursday that he and other church leaders from Massachusetts would support extending some benefits to same-sex couples - though they are strongly opposed to gay marriage.
Worcester Bishop Daniel P. Reilly told a state legislative committee that the issue of benefits should be dealt with separately from same-sex unions.
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill that would legalize gay marriage. Reilly spoke at a hearing on behalf of the leaders of the four Massachusetts dioceses, including Archbishop Sean O'Malley of Boston.
``If the goal is to look at individual benefits and determine who should be eligible beyond spouses, then we will join the discussion,'' Reilly told the Judiciary Committee.
The Rev. Christopher Coyne, spokesman for O'Malley, said the church is specifically concerned about addressing benefits that affect children in gay families, such as education and health. Extending these benefits would not in any way contradict the Catholic Church's commitment to matrimony, he said.
``I think what's actually being said is that the benefits that are necessary for the protection of children and families don't necessarily involve any kind of a redefinition of relationship or marital status,'' Coyne said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3302073,00.htmlThe Rev. Christopher Coyne, spokesman for O'Malley, said the church is specifically concerned about addressing benefits that affect children in gay families, such as education and health. Extending these benefits would not in any way contradict the Catholic Church's commitment to matrimony, he said. This is the Archbishop of Boston, recently appointed by John Paul II, saying this, narcissist.