Taipei Times
Date: Nov 04, 2016
By: Abraham Gerber / Staff reporter

The Roman Catholic Church in Taiwan yesterday restated its opposition to same-sex marriage, while

People carry a long rainbow flag as they take part in the 14th annual LGBT Pride Parade in Taipei last Saturday. Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times

leaving open the possibility of supporting new legal rights for homosexual couples, calling for societal dialogue.

“The position of the Roman Catholic Church on marriage has always been the same: Marriage can only exist between a man and a woman,” said Otried Chan (陳科), the secretary-general of the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference, at a Legislative Yuan news conference calling for same-sex marriage legalization bills to be put on hold until hearings are conducted.

The first legislative reading of a bill altering the Civil Code’s (民法) definition of marriage is expected today, with the Ministry of Justice, under Premier Lin Chuan’s (林全) directive, saying before the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pride Parade on Saturday last week that it would start the review of various proposals this month and not be limited to the partnership bill favored by the former administration.    [FULL  STORY]