News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Rainbow-flag-main_article_image.jpg
CC Ludovic Bertron
World News

Costa Rica bishop criticises same-sex benefit ruling

The decision comes after a couple's two-year legal battle to seek state welfare credit, and means that the court has formally recognised the couple in the same way it would a married heterosexual couple.

The decision does not extend to other same-sex couples though, who continue to face opposition from lawmakers.

In Costa Rica, heterosexual couples are entitled to the benefit and the pair were angry it did not extend to same-sex partnerships and that gay couples had to have their cases decided on an individual basis.

The bishop of the city of Cartago, Jose Francisco Ulloa, was upset with the decision: "I agree that people with this special inclination have rights like any citizen, but these are never equal to a normal, natural marriage, like we have in Costa Rica between a man and a woman."

Lawmakers said it was important to look at the impact this could have on family law, the newspaper La Nacion said.

Cristian Zamora, one of those seeking the benefit, said: "I didn't think it was going to happen now since it was such a long process. It took us by surprise and it's a great victory ... not just for us but for the whole country."

The President Luis Guillermo Solis' attempts to legalise civil unions for all gay couples have been stalled by political opponents in the country's legislative assembly.

He has been a gay rights supporter and raised a rainbow flag at the palace to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia a month after his election in 2014.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate