Unwed couples
gain new rights in Italy

The Italian cabinet on Thursday approved proposed legislation granting legal rights to unmarried couples in both heterosexual and same-sex relationships. The decision came despite alarm among Christian Democrats in the center-left government and harsh criticism from the Catholic Church. Equal Opportunity Minister Barbara Pollastrini said that if the parliament passes the legislation, unmarried couples who live together can immediately begin to enjoy some legal protections, such as the same hospital visitation rights as spouses and relatives. However, Pollastrini said couples would have to live together for at least nine years before they would be entitled to property rights. ''This doesn't intend to create a new legal status,'' said Family Policy Minister Rosy Bindi. Instead, Bindi said the proposed legislation would grant rights ''without creating minor-league marriages.'' Pope Benedict XVI has been leading a campaign against legal recognition for unmarried couples and has denounced any efforts aimed at allowing gays to marry. The issue of legal recognition for unmarried couples has divided Premier Romano Prodi's center-left government, whose smaller partners include Christian Democrats and Communists. ''For us, the family, as stipulated by the constitution, is only that founded on marriage,'' said Justice Minister Clemente Mastella, who abstained from the cabinet meeting in protest. Passage of the law would be a grave attack ''on the sensibilities of millions of Italians,'' Renato Schifani, a leader from Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, told news agency ANSA. Piero Fassino, leader of the coalition party Democrats of the Left, said the law would ''recognize the basic rights of couples who choose to live together. It does not inaugurate a parallel or an alternative family model.'' (Frances D'Emilio, AP)