The Vatican, taking an unprecedented step, has issued an official diplomatic note to Italy in protest of a bill to combat homophobia, media reported on Tuesday.
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The bill, which is currently being debated in the Italian Parliament, provides for penalties for discrimination against and incitement to violence against sexual minorities and people with disabilities.
According to the Corriere della Sera, the Vatican said in a note that the bill contradicted the concordat between Italy and the Holy See. “This is an unprecedented act in the history of relations between the two countries. At least no such precedent is known publicly,” the newspaper said.
The de facto foreign minister of the Vatican, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, handed over the note verbale to the Italian embassy in the Vatican on June 17, the publication reports. The document says the law, if passed, will restrict Catholic faith and freedom of expression. The law, for example, does not provide for an exception for Catholic schools, which would allow them not to participate in events organized as part of the newly introduced Day to Combat Homophobia.
The Vatican is also concerned that Catholics may in future be sued for expressing their opposition to the special rights of so-called LGBTIs (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex).
Although the Vatican has never objected to any Italian law before, the concordat gives it such a right, the Corriere della Sera acknowledges. Neither the Vatican nor the Italian Foreign Ministry have responded to the request for comment.
A bill to combat homophobia was passed by the lower house of parliament in November, but right-wing parties strongly oppose it in the Senate.
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