It has been stated by some of your contributors that Rocco Buttiglione's comments in the European Parliament hearing reflected the teaching of the Catholic Church, while it has been reported that members of the clergy (the Bishop of Gozo and Fr Vanni Xuereb) did not agree completely with some of Professor Buttiglione's comments.

Professor Buttiglione reportedly stated that homosexuality is a sin. The Church disapproves of homosexual acts but not homosexuality or homosexual persons, though the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not use the word sin for homosexual activity.

Many consider the homosexual tendency not to be a choice depending on a person's free will. This lack of free will is recognised by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (para. 2358), and is to be taken into account as regards sinfulness. The Cathecism condemns discrimination against homosexual persons and states they must be treated with and compassion. It also states that they can live a perfect Christian life (para. 2359).

Regarding Professor Buttiglione's other comment that marriage is for the protection of the woman and to beget children, in fact the aim of marriage is to establish "a partnership of their whole life" between spouses, and is "ordered to the well-being of the spouses" as well as "procreation and upbringing of children" (Code of Canon Law, Canon 1055-1).

I doubt whether there is any discrimination against Catholics in European institutions, as one can recall various prominent members of European institutions such as Romano Prodi, the outgoing President of the European Commission, and Jacques Delors, a former President of the Commission, who are Catholics.

Nevertheless I disagree that Professor Buttiglione's comments should have let to his disapproval by the Parliament, as the criteria should be his competence as a Commissioner. I think his comments were misinterpreted to mean that he would discriminate against homosexuals and women.