The NZ Association of Rationalists and Humanists is urging the Government to tell the Pope to stay out of New Zealand's business, following a statement made by the pontiff to visiting New Zealand bishops that recognising relationships outside of heterosexual marriage violates God's plan for humanity. Secretary Paul Litterick noted the Pope recently lectured the Canadian Government about its plans for formalising same sex unions. "Canada dismissed the Pope's comments as an intrusion in Canadian politics. Our Government should do the same," he says. "We should tell the Pope to get over it." Prime Minister Helen Clark said the Pope had strong religious views and he was entitled to express them, but his concerns about civil unions had not come up when she met him in Rome in May.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 15th September 2004 - 12:00pm