Here is a new angle on this question. People have discussed at length the property law and contract law aspects of this question. Far more pressing is law concerning power of attorney for substitution decision-making in health care. Bishop Henry suggests this:
lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jun/05060804.html
Canadian Bishop Proposes Solution to Same-Sex “Marriage” Dilemma
No gay marriage, no civil unions but
recognize adult interdependent relationships
OTTAWA, June 8, 2005 (
LifeSiteNews.com) – In the House of Commons committee hearings on the same-sex ‘marriage’ Bill C-38 Monday, Calgary Bishop Fred Henry was asked by Liberal MP Anita Neville for suggestions on possible action by government on the issue.
Neville, who has voted in support of homosexual marriage asked, “how do you see some potential reconciliation of the government’s desire to honour the individual human rights of all Canadians with your own faith-based beliefs?”
Bishop Henry, a man very attuned to human suffering proposed a solution which, while being consistent with Catholic teaching, would also accommodate the basic needs of any adults in interdependent relationships. Thus homosexual couples would fall under this category of interdependent relationships along with, for instance, two adult siblings who live together with one looking after another with a disability. His basic message: no gay ‘marriage’, no civil unions, but adult interdependent relationships.
Bishop Henry responded, “Well, I think there are a number of things that could be done. One, I would hope that the government would decide to define the traditional understanding of marriage as a union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others and not go in the direction of talking about some kind of analogous marriage such as civil unions, but look for those social rights deemed to be denied to members of the gay and lesbian community under an umbrella such as adult-interdependent relationships.”
The Bishop explained, “I think that desexualizes it and it puts it within a context where it also take into account, say, my niece who is currently committed to sacrificing her own life to look after grandma. Inheritance rights ought to be accorded to her, visiting rights when she goes to the hospital and so on ought to be acknowledged, and she shouldn’t be barred from doing so.”
Neville responded curtly rejecting the Bishop’s proposal: “Basically I hear that as no reconciliation between . . .” Sensing her gist, Bishop Henry cut in saying, “You’re right. If you’re asking me to accept a watered-down understanding of the institution of marriage, that’s not going to happen.”
