AMERICA/COSTA RICA - Bishops say proposal to give same sex unions the status of the institution of marriage “is totally inopportune from the point of view of natural law, constitutional right and, for us as Christians, the law of God ”

San José (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Costa Rica has issued a statement with regard to a proposal put forward by a few members of the national assembly to give unions between same sex couples the same status as the institution of marriage. The Bishops say the proposal "is totally inopportune from the point of view of natural law, constitutional right and, for us as Christians, the law of God". The Bishops say that people with homosexual tendencies possess the same inalienable dignity as every other person but this does not legitimate unions of persons of the same sex. "The common good of society - the statement reads - demands that laws defend, promote and protect the marriage union as the basis of the family and nucleus of society ". The Bishops say if the proposal were approved "it would be an evil for society, a mortal blow for the institution of marriage and the family and a distortion of God's plan".
They call on all members of the assembly "before God to consider the will of the majority of Costa Ricans in this matter, to assume the mission entrusted to them to promote and defend the highest moral and ethic principles which do not admit exceptions or compromises". The Bishops recall their own duty to “safeguard and promote the family founded on marriage between a man and a woman, to protects its unity and stability". The Bishops conclude with a prayer for the intercession of Our Lady of the Angels, patroness of Costa Rica: “may she illuminate us with her light and help us build a homeland rich in values and moral principles". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 25/6/2007; righe 18, parole 268)