Gay rights movement shun Church document

The Malta Gay Rights Movement expressed concern at what it described as the "homophobic" document published by the Church in Rome on its considerations over proposals to give legal recognition to homosexual marriages.

The movement said the document was based on impressions that were detached from reality and from developments that took place in the last century.

Instead of insisting on the values and dignity of human beings, it said the document is based on "conservative" theology that focused on "false impressions" about homosexuality and homosexuals.

The movement said that, as an influential institution, the Church had the responsibility to preach the values of love and tolerance instead of issuing statements that encouraged prejudice, discrimination and violence.

Many of the Maltese and Gozitan Catholics did not embrace the same views of the Church regarding homosexuality, the Malta Gay Rights Movement said.