Catholic groups stage mass "Family Day" rally in Rome

May 12, 2007, 16:07 GMT

Rome - Organizers of a mass 'Family Day' rally in Rome Saturday claimed that over half a million Italian Catholic demonstrators took part in the demonstration against government plans to legalise same-sex unions.

Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was among those who attended the Family Day rally, which was backed by conservative politicians and had the tacit endorsement of the Church hierarchy.

The protest was called after Romano Prodi's centre-left government approved a so-called Dico bill granting new rights to de facto couples, including gays.

The protestors, who were transported to Rome on 3,000 buses from around the country, were addressed by numerous politicians who oppose the bill.

Overwhelmingly Catholic Italy is one of the few countries in Europe that still doesn't recognise gay couples.

The bill is currently languishing in parliament due to strong opposition from pro-Vatican lawmakers, including several ministers in office.

The rally comes amid growing tension between Italy's Catholics and lay groups.

Last week, the Vatican's official daily, L'Osservatore Romano, caused a stir by branding 'a terrorist' a comedian who had criticised the pope during a May Day concert.

The Osservatore's editorial came just days after the head of Italy's Bishops Conference, Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco, received death threats because of his opposition to the Dico bill.

Saturday's rally in Piazza San Giovanni fell on the 33rd anniversary of a referendum called to endorse the legalisation of divorce. That referendum was backed by 60 per cent of voters in spite of strong opposition from the Vatican.