(ANSA) - Rome, November 4 - Catholic priest Giovanni
Cavalcoli confirmed on La Zanzara (The Mosquito) talk radio show
Friday he believes two devastating earthquakes in central Italy
that claimed almost 300 lives were caused by "human sins, such
as civil unions" between gays.
Italy in May this year passed a law extending to committed
gay couples some of the same rights and protections straight
married couples currently enjoy.
"They are offensive statements for believers and scandalous
for non-believers," Assistant Secretary of State Monsignor
Angelo Becciu told ANSA.
He said such statements "date back to the pre-Christian era
and do not correspond to Church theology, because they are
contrary to the vision of God offered to us by Christ".
"Christ revealed the face of God as love, not as a
capricious and vengeful God," Msgr Becciu said.
"That is a pagan vision, not a Christian one".
He voiced the hope that the quake-stricken population "will
forgive us", and sent them the solidarity of Pope Francis.
La Zanzara is a talk radio program on Sole 24 Ore business
and financial paper's Radio 24.
Priest confirms quake-as-punishment theory
Caused by civil unions says Father Giovanni Cavalcoli